The acceptance and willingness to pay (WTP) for hypothetical dengue vaccine in Penang, Malaysia: a contingent valuation study

Abstract

BackgroundMalaysia has been experiencing an escalation in dengue cases since the past 5 years. As the dengue vaccine pipeline continues to develop steadily with strong public interests, this study had been sought to elicit the acceptance and the willingness to pay (WTP) for hypothetical dengue vaccine in Malaysia.MethodsThis study adopted the cross-sectional, contingent valuation study that involved 400 respondents in Penang, Malaysia. The double-bounded dichotomous choice via bidding game approach was employed to elicit the WTP value for two hypothetical 3-doses dengue vaccines (Vaccines A and B with 5- and 10-years’ protection, respectively against dengue). A univariate logistic regression model was employed to assess the key determinants of vaccine acceptance, while the mean WTP value and its associated factors were measured by using the parametric two-part model (TPM).ResultsDengue vaccine appeared to be highly acceptable (88.4%) among the population in Penang, Malaysia. Respondents who were of Chinese ethnicity (OR 0.36, p = 0.017), with higher dengue knowledge score (OR 1.43, p = 0.016), and higher vaccination attitude score (OR 1.91, p < 0.001) were more likely to accept the vaccine. The first step logit estimation from TPM displayed that pensioners (OR 2.37, p = 0.036), respondents who were self-employed or working in the private sector (OR 1.21, p = 0.002), respondents with higher education level (OR 2.09–3.29, p < 0.05), and those who accepted the vaccine (OR 3.23, p = 0.001) were more likely to pay for the vaccine. The adjusted mean WTP value for the vaccine was MYR39.21 (USD9.45) per dose. Next, the second-stage regression from TPM revealed the key factors that significantly affected the WTP value, which were composed of age, gender, occupation, household income, dengue prevention practice, and protection duration of the vaccine. The pensioners and those with better dengue prevention practice were willing to pay more for the vaccines. Additionally, all the respondents elicited a higher WTP amount toward the vaccine with longer protection duration (Vaccine B).ConclusionStrong acceptance toward dengue vaccine reflects the high value of the vaccine in Malaysia. The WTP estimates offer quantification of the private benefit in reducing occurrences of the disease. Besides, the people’s preferences-based WTP value for the vaccine tends to complement scientific decision-making and prioritization in the management of dengue in the country.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12962-018-0163-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The use of the health belief model to assess predictors of intent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and willingness to pay

“…The mean WTP of the overall participants was MYR $134.0 ± 79.2 (US$30.66 ± 18.12). Compared to previous studies conducted in Malaysia, the WTP for the hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine found in this study is over three-fold higher than the WTP for a hypothetical dengue vaccine (MYR39.21 [USD 9.45 USD] per dose) 19 and the hepatitis B vaccination (MYR$303 [USD 73 USD] per three-dose series). 20 To date, no studies have been conducted on the WTP of influenza vaccine in Malaysia.…”

Mothers’ willingness to accept and pay for vaccines to their children in western Iran: a contingent valuation study

“…Besides, the disparity between the WTA and WTP is a useful means to illuminate not only the understanding of values attributed to particular services but also the need for service provision shift from public to private and the users' possible resistance due to the perceived loss of benefits from the public provider. The proportions of mothers that had the WTA and WTP for the vaccines in our study are considerably higher than the corresponding values reported for a hypothetical vaccine in Malaysia [23]. The WTA to WTP ratio is markedly lower than those reported for health and safety goods, public or non-market goods and even for the ordinary private goods in studies elsewhere.…”

Acceptance of a COVID-19 Vaccine in Southeast Asia: A Cross-Sectional Study in Indonesia

“…Our findings indicated that when the vaccine is provided freely, 93.3 and 67.0% of participants would like to be vaccinated if the vaccine had 95% and 50% effectiveness, respectively. The acceptance rate for the first model (i.e., 95% efficacy) is far higher compared to acceptance of other new vaccines in southeast Asia (21,22,25,34). This indicates that a majority of the general population in the country are supportive of the COVID-19 vaccine.…”

“…This vaccine development is proceeding at a fast pace; prior to March 30, 2020, two vaccine candidates had entered Phase 1 clinical trials (13) while on April 9, five vaccine candidates in total were in Phase 1 clinical trials (33). In the region of southeast Asia, studies have been conducted to assess the acceptance of a vaccine against infectious diseases (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)34). This present study was conducted to understand how the COVID-19 vaccine, when available, will be accepted by the general population in Indonesia, by asking individuals about a hypothetical vaccine-an approach used in many past studies (21,26,(28)(29)(30).…”

“…Indonesia is a middle-income country with relatively low vaccine coverage and high vaccine hesitancy (18)(19)(20). Some studies have been conducted to assess acceptance on new vaccines against emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in southeast Asia, such as for dengue (21)(22)(23)(24)(25), Zika (26), and Ebola (27). No study has been conducted on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the region.…”