scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine Attitudes and Beliefs: A National Cross-Sectional Survey and Cluster Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie L Benham ◽  
Omid Atabati ◽  
Robert J Oxoby ◽  
Mehdi Mourali ◽  
Blake Shaffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
African Caribbean ◽  
And Cluster Analysis ◽  
Health Messaging

BACKGROUND There are concerns that vaccine hesitancy may impede COVID-19 vaccine rollout and prevent the achievement of herd immunity. Vaccine hesitancy is a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite their availability. OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify which people are more and less likely to take a COVID-19 vaccine, and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy to inform public health messaging. METHODS A Canadian cross-sectional survey was conducted in October-November, 2020. Cluster analysis was performed to identify distinct clusters based on intention to take a COVID-19 vaccine, beliefs about COVID-19 and a COVID-19 vaccine, and adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions. Vaccine hesitancy was measured by respondents answering the question “what would you do if a COVID-19 vaccine were available to you?” Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS Of 4,498 participants, 64% reported COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with female sex, lower education level, lower household income, and African/Caribbean/Central and South American ethnicity. Participants that reported vaccine hesitancy were less likely to believe that a COVID-19 vaccine would end the pandemic or that the benefits of a COVID-19 vaccine outweighed the risks. Vaccine hesitancy was associated with higher odds of being concerned about vaccine side effects, lower odds of being influenced by peers or healthcare professionals, and lower trust in government institutions. CONCLUSIONS These findings can be used to inform targeted public health messaging to combat vaccine hesitancy as COVID-19 vaccine administration continues. Messaging related to preventing COVID among friends and family, highlighting the benefits, emphasizing safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination and ensuring healthcare workers are knowledgeable and supported in their vaccination counselling may be effective for vaccine hesitant populations.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions in Eastern Zimbabwe: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1109
Author(s):  
Lauren McAbee ◽  
Oscar Tapera ◽  
Mufaro Kanyangarara
Keyword(s):  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
And Behaviors

Vaccines are one of the most effective public health strategies to protect against infectious diseases, yet vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a global health threat. Understanding COVID-19 knowledge and attitudes and their association with vaccine intentions can help the targeting of strategies to increase vaccination uptake and achieve herd immunity. The goal of this study was to assess COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, and identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine intentions among heads of households in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2021 among 551 randomly selected households. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding COVID-19 and the vaccines. More than half (55.7%) of the respondents reported intending to vaccinate themselves or their households. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the likelihood of vaccine intentions was most strongly associated with confidence in vaccine safety. Additionally, the odds of intending to get vaccinated were significantly higher among heads of households who were male, had a higher level of education, and identified vaccination and face mask usage as prevention measures. Among perceived motivators to vaccinate, recommendations from the World Health Organization and availability of the vaccine free of charge increased the likelihood of vaccine intentions, while country of vaccine manufacturer posed a barrier to vaccine intentions. As the vaccine rollout in Zimbabwe continues, efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage and achieve herd immunity should target females and less educated populations and be tailored to address concerns about vaccine safety and country of manufacturer.

scholarly journals Are midwives ready to fight vaccine hesitancy? First results from an Italian cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Massimi ◽  
A Rosso ◽  
C De Vito ◽  
C Marzuillo ◽  
V Baccolini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Teachable Moment ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Childhood Vaccines

Abstract Background Pregnancy is widely recognized as a ’teachable moment’ since attitudes and beliefs about childhood vaccines are not completely structured. Among healthcare workers (HCWs), midwives play a pivotal role in the maternal care pathway and should have a key role also in promoting opportunities of discussion and correct information about vaccinations. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess knowledge and attitudes of a sample of Italian midwives towards vaccinations. A questionnaire was designed ad hoc and sent electronically to midwives members of the professional register of Rome. Results Preliminary results on data collected from 140 midwives (mean age 37.32, DS ± 11.61; mean years on the job: 11.94 DS ± 12.78) who completed the survey showed a heterogeneous level of knowledge: only 50% of the sample indicated the correct threshold of vaccination coverage for herd immunity, while safety of multiple shots and of the additives contained in vaccines was reported by 61% and 31% of respondents, respectively. Only 41% of midwives had identified the pertussis vaccine as one of the vaccinations recommended during pregnancy. Attitudes were generally positive: 84% of respondents recognized recommended vaccines as effective and 86% as one of the safest health interventions. However, vaccinations against MMR and Varicella were perceived as useful by 86% and 71% of the midwives, while 89% and 77%, respectively, would recommend them to parents (compared to 96% in case of hexavalent). Globally, 79% of respondents would agree with the introduction of mandatory vaccinations for HCWs in maternity wards. Conclusions Midwives show some gaps in the knowledge on vaccinations. The final results of this study will be used to build specific and tailored training programs directed to midwives involved in pregnancy management. This may help them to transfer the correct vaccination information for the empowerment and the growth of vaccine literacy. Key messages Pregnancy is a strategic teachable moment to influence attitudes regarding childhood vaccinations and healthcare professionals must be trained to be the vehicle of the most accurate information. Specific under- and post-graduate training courses on vaccinations directed to midwives are strongly needed to ensure good level of knowledge on this topic.

scholarly journals Population perception of mandatory childhood vaccination programme before its implementation, France, 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Mathieu ◽  
Arnaud Gautier ◽  
Jocelyn Raude ◽  
Thomas Goronflot ◽  
Titouan Launay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Opinion ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
French Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Vaccines For Children

Background Vaccination policy in France was previously characterised by the coexistence of eight recommended and three mandatory vaccinations for children younger than 2 years old. These 11 vaccines are now mandatory for all children born after 1 January 2018. Aim To study the French population’s opinion about this new policy and to assess factors associated with a positive opinion during this changing phase. Methods A cross-sectional survey about vaccination was conducted from 16 November–19 December 2017 among the GrippeNet.fr cohort. Data were weighted for age, sex and education according to the French population. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with a favourable opinion on mandatory vaccines’ extension and defined in the ‘3Cs’ model by the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts working group on vaccine hesitancy. Results Of the 3,222 participants (response rate 50.5%) and after adjustment, 64.5% agreed with the extension of mandatory vaccines. It was considered a necessary step by 68.7% of the study population, while 33.8% considered it unsafe for children and 56.9% saw it as authoritarian. Factors associated with a positive opinion about the extension of mandatory vaccines were components of the confidence, complacency and convenience dimensions of the ‘3Cs’ model. Conclusions In our sample, two thirds of the French population was in favour of the extension of mandatory vaccines for children. Perception of vaccine safety and benefits were major predictors for positive and negative opinions about this new policy.

scholarly journals Corowa-kun: Impact of a COVID-19 vaccine information chatbot on vaccine hesitancy, Japan 2021

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takaaki Kobayashi ◽  
Yuka Nishina ◽  
Hana Tomoi ◽  
Ko Harada ◽  
Kyuto Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Confidential Interval ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
History Of ◽  
Flu Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Information ◽  
To Receive

Background: Few studies have assessed how mobile messenger apps affect COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. We created a COVID-19 vaccine information chatbot in a popular messenger app in Japan to answer commonly asked questions. Methods: LINE is the most popular messenger app in Japan. Corowa-kun, a free chatbot, was created in LINE on February 6, 2021. Corowa-kun provides instant, automated answers to frequently asked COVID-19 vaccine questions. In addition, a cross-sectional survey assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was conducted via Corowa-kun during April 5 to 12, 2021. Results: A total of 59,676 persons used Corowa-kun during February to April 2021. Of them, 10,192 users (17%) participated in the survey. Median age was 55 years (range 16 to 97), and most were female (74%). Intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine increased from 59% to 80% after using Corowa-kun (p < 0.01). Overall, 20% remained hesitant: 16% (1,675) were unsure, and 4% (364) did not intend to be vaccinated. Factors associated with vaccine hesitancy were: age 16 to 34 (odds ratio [OR] = 3.7, 95% confidential interval [CI]: 3.0-4.6, compared to age ≥ 65), female sex (OR = 2.4, Cl: 2.1-2.8), and history of another vaccine side-effect (OR = 2.5, Cl: 2.2-2.9). Being a physician (OR = 0.2, Cl: 0.1-0.4) and having received a flu vaccine the prior season (OR = 0.4, Cl: 0.3-0.4) were protective. Conclusions: Corowa-kun reduced vaccine hesitancy by providing COVID-19 vaccine information in a messenger app. Mobile messenger apps could be leveraged to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among People with Epilepsy in Lithuania

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4374
Author(s):  
Kristijonas Puteikis ◽  
Rūta Mameniškienė
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Erroneous Beliefs

The purpose of our study was to determine the willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among people with epilepsy (PWE). In December 2020, we performed an online cross-sectional survey of PWE and their caregivers in Lithuania before the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to the public. The study sample consisted of 111 respondents (44 (39.6%) male, median age 25 years (range 1 to 70)). From 58 PWE who personally responded to the survey, 27 (46.6%) would be willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Among the 53 caregivers, 18 (34.0%) would accept the person they care for to be vaccinated. Willingness to be vaccinated was associated with receiving an influenza shot in 2020 (odds ratio (OR) = 9.17, 95% confidence interval (CI = 1.15–73.47), the beliefs that vaccines are generally safe (OR = 7.90, 95% CI = 2.43–25.74) and that they are the only convenient way to gain immunity (OR = 3.91, 95% CI = 1.02–15.05). Respondents were hesitant to accept the COVID-19 vaccine if they thought it could cause the infection (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.04–0.49). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is frequent among PWE and their caregivers. It is probably related to erroneous beliefs about their safety and mechanism of action.

scholarly journals Novel Predictors of COVID-19 Protective Behaviors Among US Adults: Cross-sectional Survey

10.2196/23488 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. e23488
Author(s):  
Ken Resnicow ◽  
Elizabeth Bacon ◽  
Penny Yang ◽  
Sarah Hawley ◽  
M Lee Van Horn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs

Background A central component of the public health strategy to control the COVID-19 pandemic involves encouraging mask wearing and social distancing to protect individuals from acquiring and transmitting the virus. Objective This study aims to understand the psychological factors that drive adoption or rejection of these protective behaviors, which can inform public health interventions to control the pandemic. Methods We conducted an online survey of a representative sample of 1074 US adults and assessed three novel potential predictors of COVID-19 behaviors: trait reactance, COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs, and COVID-19 apocalypse beliefs. Key outcomes (dependent variables) included an index of COVID-19 protective behaviors, the number of trips taken from the home, and COVID-19 knowledge. Results In bivariate analyses, all three predictors were significantly correlated in the hypothesized direction with the three COVID-19 outcomes. Specifically, each predictor was negatively (P<.01) correlated with the COVID-19 protective behaviors index and COVID-19 knowledge score, and positively correlated with trips taken from home per week (more of which was considered higher risk). COVID-19 protective behaviors and COVID-19 knowledge were significantly lower in the top median compared to the bottom median for all three predictors. In general, these findings remained significant after adjusting for all novel predictors plus age, gender, income, education, race, political party, and religiosity. Self-identified Republicans (vs other political affiliations) reported the highest values for each of the novel predictors. Conclusions This study can inform the development of health communication interventions to encourage the adoption of COVID-19 protective behaviors. Interestingly, we found that higher scores of all three novel predictors were associated with lower COVID-19 knowledge, suggesting that lack of an accurate understanding of the virus may be driving some of these attitudes; although, it is also possible that these attributes may interfere with one’s willingness or ability to seek and absorb accurate health information. These individuals may be particularly immune to accepting new information and yielding their beliefs. Health communication professionals may apply lessons learned from countering similar beliefs around climate change and vaccine hesitancy. Messages designed for individuals prone to reactance may be more effective if they minimize controlling language and emphasize the individual’s independence in adopting these behavioral recommendations. Messaging for those who possess conspiracy beliefs should similarly not assume that providing evidence contrary to these beliefs will alone alter behavior. Other communication techniques such as rolling with resistance, a strategy used in motivational interviewing, may be helpful. Messaging for those with apocalyptic beliefs may require using religious leaders as the message source and using scripture that would support the adoption of COVID-19 protection behaviors.

scholarly journals Understanding perception and acceptance of Sinopharm vaccine and vaccination against COVID–19 in the UAE

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faheem Ahamed ◽  
Subhashini Ganesan ◽  
Anila James ◽  
Walid Abbas Zaher
Keyword(s):  
Survey Design ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Motivational Factors ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
The People ◽  
Government Websites

Abstract Background In the current COVID-19 pandemic, the world has reached an important milestone where vaccinations are discovered and are proven to be effective against SARS-COV-2 infections. Though vaccines against COVID-19 are now available, around the globe there is some hesitancy in getting the vaccine. This hesitancy to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is a complex phenomenon with various factors playing a role. This study aims at understanding the perception and expectations of the people about COVID-19 vaccine and the factors influencing the vaccine acceptance. This information is crucial to challenge vaccine hesitancy and to win the combat against the COVID-19 Pandemic through voluntary vaccine efforts. Methods A cross-sectional survey among the residents of the UAE to understand the expectations and perception on vaccination against COVID-19. The survey was conducted online, and the survey design included participant samples to be representative of UAE’s demographics. The results of the survey were analysed with various demographical variables of interest. Results The survey showed that people were more likely to get vaccinated when vaccines are (i) endorsed by trusted government health authorities, (ii) recommended by physicians and family doctors, and (iii) the merits are effectively communicated through government websites and trusted news channels. Availability of vaccines at multiple sites and providing vaccines free of charges are likely to improve the rate of vaccination. The perceptions, expectations and the motivational factors needed for people to get vaccinated differed with age, gender, marital status, income level, and employment status. Conclusion To attain herd immunity against COVID-19, a large proportion of the population needs to be vaccinated and to achieve this the vaccination campaigns should target on specific expectations and motivational factors pertaining to each target group to successfully overcome the challenge of vaccine hesitancy.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Hesitancy in a Sample of US Adults: Role of Perceived Satisfaction With Health, Access to Healthcare, and Attention to COVID-19 News

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Bauerle Bass ◽  
Maureen Wilson-Genderson ◽  
Dina T. Garcia ◽  
Aderonke A. Akinkugbe ◽  
Maghboeba Mosavel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccination Rates

Understanding which communities are most likely to be vaccine hesitant is necessary to increase vaccination rates to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This cross-sectional survey of adults (n = 501) from three cities in the United States (Miami, FL, New York City, NY, San Francisco, CA) assessed the role of satisfaction with health and healthcare access and consumption of COVID-19 news, previously un-studied variables related to vaccine hesitancy. Multilevel logistic regression tested the relationship between vaccine hesitancy and study variables. Thirteen percent indicated they would not get vaccinated. Black race (OR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.38–5.3), income (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.50–0.83), inattention to COVID-19 news (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.5), satisfaction with health (OR 0.72; 95% CI: 0.52–0.99), and healthcare access (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2–2.7) were associated with vaccine hesitancy. Public health officials should consider these variables when designing public health communication about the vaccine to ensure better uptake.

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