Profiles of Hesitancy Toward the Herpes Zoster Vaccine Among Older Adults in China: A Latent Profile Analysis

Background: Understanding diverse psychological factors is crucial for promoting vaccination. This study focuses on psychological factors influencing HZ vaccination attitudes and intentions among older adults who have not yet received the HZ vaccine in China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 12,357 older adults (aged ≥60 years) who had not previously received the HZ vaccine. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was performed using the 5C psychological antecedents of vaccination (Confidence, Constraints, Calculation, Complacency, and Collective Responsibility). Multinomial logistic regression and Chi-square tests were used to identify predictors of profile membership and to investigate the nature of reported barriers. Results: An optimal five-profile solution was identified, with the largest group being “Willing but Obstructed” (44.6%). This profile exhibited high vaccination willingness but perceived the most significant constraints. While household income was not a direct predictor of profile membership, low-income individuals were significantly more likely to report ‘high cost’ as a primary barrier (p < 0.01), revealing that socioeconomic status appears to influence vaccination intention through tangible structural obstacles. Conclusions: Vaccination attitudes among previously unvaccinated older adults are heterogeneous. A substantial proportion are willing to be vaccinated but are hindered by socioeconomic barriers, primarily cost. Addressing the intention–behavior gap may require a shift from universal messaging to equity-focused interventions that directly address structural barriers for vulnerable groups, particularly among those who have not yet initiated vaccination.