scholarly journals The Persistence of Vaccine Hesitancy: COVID-19 Vaccination Intention

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagadish Thaker
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
The Public ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Communication Campaign ◽  
Scientific Experts ◽  
Nationally Representative

AbstractBuilding public trust and willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 is as important as developing an effective vaccine. However, a significant minority of the public are unwilling or hesitant to take a COVID-19 vaccine, when available. A nationally representative sample survey (N=1040) was conducted in July 2020 in New Zealand to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine intention. Trust in experts and general vaccine hesitancy were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine intention. A communication campaign from trusted scientific experts, with information that addresses prevailing concerns about vaccines, is likely to help increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

scholarly journals Psychological factors underpinning vaccine willingness in Israel, Japan and Hungary

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Goodwin ◽  
Menachem Ben-Ezra ◽  
Masahito Takahashi ◽  
Lan Anh Nguyen Luu ◽  
Krisztina Borsfay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Anticipated Regret ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Government ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Representative Samples

The rapid international spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus 19 led to unprecedented attempts to develop and administer an effective vaccine. However, there is evidence of considerable vaccine hesitancy in some countries and sub-populations. We investigated willingness to vaccinate in three nations with historically different levels of vaccine willingness and attitudes to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Israel, Japan and Hungary. Employing an ecological-systems approach we analysed associations between demographic factors and health status, individual cognitions, normative pressures, trust in government, belief in COVID-19 myths and willingness to be vaccinated, using data from three nationally representative samples (Israel, N=1011 (Jan 2021); Japan, N= 997 (Feb 2021); Hungary, N=1131 (Apr 2021)). In Israel 74% indicated a willingness to vaccinate, but only 51% in Japan and 31% in Hungary. Results from multigroup regression analyses indicated greater vaccine willingness amongst those who perceived benefits to vaccination, anticipated regret if not vaccinated and trusted the government. Multi-group latent class analysis of ten COVID-19 (mis)beliefs identified three classes of myths, with concerns about the alteration of DNA (Israel), allergies (Hungary) and catching COVID-19 from the vaccine (Japan) specific to vaccine willingness for each culture. Rather than focusing primarily on disease threats, intervention campaigns should focus on increasing trust and addressing culturally specific myths while emphasising the individual and social group benefits of vaccination.

scholarly journals Examining the Utility of Social Media in COVID-19 Vaccination: Unsupervised Learning of 672,133 Twitter Posts (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tau Ming Liew ◽  
Cia Sin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Public Concerns

BACKGROUND Although COVID-19 vaccines have recently become available, efforts in global mass vaccination can be hampered by the widespread issue of vaccine hesitancy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to use social media data to capture close-to-real-time public perspectives and sentiments regarding COVID-19 vaccines, with the intention to understand the key issues that have captured public attention, as well as the barriers and facilitators to successful COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS Twitter was searched for tweets related to “COVID-19” and “vaccine” over an 11-week period after November 18, 2020, following a press release regarding the first effective vaccine. An unsupervised machine learning approach (ie, structural topic modeling) was used to identify topics from tweets, with each topic further grouped into themes using manually conducted thematic analysis as well as guided by the theoretical framework of the COM-B (capability, opportunity, and motivation components of behavior) model. Sentiment analysis of the tweets was also performed using the rule-based machine learning model VADER (Valence Aware Dictionary and Sentiment Reasoner). RESULTS Tweets related to COVID-19 vaccines were posted by individuals around the world (N=672,133). Six overarching themes were identified: (1) emotional reactions related to COVID-19 vaccines (19.3%), (2) public concerns related to COVID-19 vaccines (19.6%), (3) discussions about news items related to COVID-19 vaccines (13.3%), (4) public health communications about COVID-19 vaccines (10.3%), (5) discussions about approaches to COVID-19 vaccination drives (17.1%), and (6) discussions about the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines (20.3%). Tweets with negative sentiments largely fell within the themes of emotional reactions and public concerns related to COVID-19 vaccines. Tweets related to facilitators of vaccination showed temporal variations over time, while tweets related to barriers remained largely constant throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this study may facilitate the formulation of comprehensive strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake; they highlight the key processes that require attention in the planning of COVID-19 vaccination and provide feedback on evolving barriers and facilitators in ongoing vaccination drives to allow for further policy tweaks. The findings also illustrate three key roles of social media in COVID-19 vaccination, as follows: surveillance and monitoring, a communication platform, and evaluation of government responses.

scholarly journals Myths Surrounding Covid-19 Vaccine Candidates: A Guide to Fight Back

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Zizzo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Protective Measure ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
The Public ◽  
News Organizations ◽  
Public Health Officials

The Covid-19 pandemic has propelled public health officials into the socio-political sphere due to the need for constantly updated information on behalf of the public. However, many individuals choose to acquire health information/guidance from indirect sources, including social media, news organizations, and general word of mouth. As a result, myths and false narratives about various essential health topics, including vaccine characteristics and protective measures, can circulate un-verified between millions of individuals with little recourse. These can further widen the “gap” between public knowledge and current research, resulting in lower vaccine uptake (vaccine hesitancy) and protective measure adherence. Such actions have profound implications as nations attempt to achieve herd immunity and end the pandemic once and for all. Thus, it is vital that public health officials, health providers, researchers, and the general public be able to differentiate common Covid-19 myths from facts and be prepared to approach such interactions via sound reasoning and research-based evidence. This chapter will serve as a guide to accomplish just that.

scholarly journals Spirituality and other factors associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance amongst Healthcare Workers in Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neh Chang Ngasa ◽  
Stewart Ndutard Ngasa ◽  
Leticia Armelle Sani Tchouda ◽  
Eugénie Tanisso ◽  
Christabel Abanda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Negative Perceptions

Abstract Background: The production of the different COVID-19 vaccines has offered hope towards controlling the pandemic. Many governments around the world have been able to secure the number of doses required for the vaccination of their entire population. In Cameroon, the government’s strategy has been to secure the number of doses required to vaccinate frontline workers and other population at risk. A threat to this strategy could be vaccine hesitancy as demonstrated in previous studies. In this article we discussed the influence of spirituality on vaccine acceptance. We also examined other factors associated with vaccine acceptance amongst healthcare workers in Cameroon. Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey of healthcare workers in Cameroon. Data was collected using Surveysparrow and then computed into Microsoft Excel. All analysis were done using Stata 14. Results: A total number of 371 healthcare workers took part in the survey and 45.38% indicated willingness to accept the vaccine if offered. The most common reason advanced for non-acceptance of the vaccine was negative perceptions about the efficacy of the vaccines. Independent factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance following a multivariate logistic regression included: being married (AOR 1.13, p< 0.01), presence of comorbidity (AOR:2.10, p<0.02), participants who had direct contact with covid patients (AOR: 3.34, p<0.01). Spirituality level was not independently associated with vaccine acceptance (AOR: 1.12, p<0.63). Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance amongst healthcare workers in Cameroon is low. This is likely to reduce the vaccine uptake amongst healthcare workers. HCWs are in the best position to influence the uptake of these vaccines by the general population, therefore educating healthcare workers on the efficacy of these vaccines might improve their acceptance.

scholarly journals Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and vaccine uptake in a national cohort of U.S. adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhura S Rane ◽  
Shivani Kochhar ◽  
Emily Poehlein ◽  
William You ◽  
McKaylee Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
The Public ◽  
National Longitudinal Study ◽  
Public Health Threat ◽  
National Cohort ◽  
The U.S

Background Vaccine hesitancy in the U.S. may limit the potential to alleviate the public health threat caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We estimated trends in and correlates of vaccine hesitancy, and its association with subsequent vaccine uptake among 5,085 United States adults from the CHASING COVID Cohort study, a national longitudinal study. Trends in willingness to vaccinate were examined longitudinally in three rounds of interviews from September to December 2020. We assessed correlates of willingness to vaccinate in December 2020. We also estimated the association between willingness to vaccinate in December 2020 and subsequent vaccine uptake in February 2021. Results Vaccine hesitancy and resistance decreased from 51% and 8% in September 2020 to 35% and 5% in December 2020, respectively. Compared to Non-Hispanic (NH) White participants, NH Black and Hispanic participants had higher adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for both vaccine hesitancy (aOR: 3.3 [95% CI: 2.6, 4.2] for NH Black and 1.8 [95% CI: 1.5, 2.2] for Hispanic) and vaccine resistance (aOR: 6.4 [95% CI: 4.3, 9.4] for NH Black and 1.9 [95% CI: 1.3, 2.7] for Hispanic). Willingness to vaccinate was associated with lower odds of vaccine uptake among 65+ year olds (aOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3, 0.6 for hesitancy; aOR: 0.1, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.6 for resistance) and healthcare workers (aOR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.3 for hesitancy; aOR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.006, 0.2 for resistance). Conclusions Awareness and distribution efforts should focus on vaccine hesitant vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Antibiotic Use for Febrile Illness among Under-5 Children in Bangladesh: A Nationally Representative Sample Survey

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1153
Author(s):  
Nora Samir ◽  
Md. Zakiul Hassan ◽  
Md. Abdullah Al Jubayer Biswas ◽  
Fahmida Chowdhury ◽  
Zubair Akhtar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Children Under Five ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Medical Sector ◽  
Nationally Representative

Fever in children under five years of age is a common and predominantly self-limiting sign of illness. However, in low- and middle-income countries, antibiotics are frequently used in febrile children, although these children may not benefit from antibiotics. In this study, we explored the prevalence of, and factors associated with, antibiotic use in children under five years old with febrile illness in Bangladesh. We analysed data from the 2017–2018 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey to determine the prevalence of antibiotic use in children under five years of age with a febrile illness. We used a causal graph and performed a multivariable logistical regression to identify the factors associated with antibiotic use in children under five years old with febrile illness in Bangladesh. Of the 2784 children aged less than five years with fever included in our analysis, 478 (17%, 95% CI 15% to 19%) received antibiotics. Unqualified sources, including unqualified providers and pharmacies, contributed to 60% of antibiotic prescriptions in children with fever, followed by the private medical sector (29%) and the public sector (23%). The highest use of antibiotics was found in children under six months of age (25%). Children with parents who completed secondary or higher education were more likely to receive antibiotics (adjusted OR (aOR): 2.61 (95% CI 1.63 to 4.16)) than children whose parents did not complete primary education. Educational interventions promoting rational use of antibiotics and improved regulations governing over the counter purchase of antibiotics in Bangladesh may improve antibiotic dispensing practices.

scholarly journals The Impact of Narrative Strategy on Promoting HPV Vaccination among College Students in Korea: The Role of Anticipated Regret

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarim Kim
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Hpv Vaccine ◽  
Hpv Vaccination ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Anticipated Regret ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hpv Vaccine Uptake

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy contributes to unsatisfactory vaccination coverage in Korea despite its high efficacy in preventing various diseases including cervical cancer. To enhance HPV vaccine uptake, effective communication with the public is key. To develop effective health promotion messages, this study examined the effects of message format on attitudes and intentions toward HPV vaccination, specifically focusing on anticipated action and inaction regrets. It employed a randomized experimental message design format (narrative versus didactic messages). A total of 222 Korean undergraduate students who had not received the HPV shot participated in the experiment. The results showed that didactic messages produce greater anticipated inaction regret, which further influences HPV vaccination attitudes and behaviors. Anticipated regret could potentially explain mixed narrative effects across health behaviors as described in existing literature.

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 Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Zimbabweans: A rapid national survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paddington T Mundagowa ◽  
Samantha N Tozivepi ◽  
Edward T Chiyaka ◽  
Fadzai Mukora-Mutseyekwa ◽  
Richard Makurumidze
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Healthcare Worker ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Government ◽  
Vaccine Information

Background: To minimize the devastating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic, scientists hastily developed a vaccine. However, the scaling up of the vaccination is likely to be hindered by the widespread social media misinformation. We, therefore, conducted a study to assess the COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy among Zimbabweans. Methods: We conducted a descriptive online cross-sectional survey using a self administered questionnaire among adults. The questionnaire assessed willingness to be vaccinated; sociodemographic characteristics, individual attitudes and perceptions, effectiveness, and safety of the vaccine. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the independent factors associated with vaccine uptake. Results: We analyzed data for 1168 participants, the age range of 19 to 89 years with the majority being females (57.5%). Half (49.9%) of the participants reported that they would accept the COVID 19 vaccine. The majority were uncertain about the effectiveness of the vaccine (76.0%) and its safety (55.0%). About half lacked trust in the government s ability to ensure the availability of an effective vaccine and 61.0% mentioned that they would seek advice from a healthcare worker to vaccinate. Age 55 years and above [vs 18 to 25 years Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.04, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.07 to 3.87], chronic disease [vs no chronic disease AOR: 1.72, 95%CI: 1.32 to 2.25], males [vs females AOR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.44 to 2.36] and being a healthcare worker [vs not being a health worker AOR: 1.73, 95%CI: 1.34 to 2.24] were associated with increased likelihood to vaccinate. History of COVID 19 infection [vs no history - AOR: 0.45, 95%CI: 0.25 to 0.81) and rural residence [vs urban - AOR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.40 to 1.01] were associated with reduced likelihood to vaccinate. Conclusion: We found half of the participants willing to vaccinate against COVID-19. The majority lacked trust in the government and were uncertain about vaccine effectiveness and safety. The policymakers should consider targeting geographical and demographic groups which were unlikely to vaccinate with vaccine information, education, and communication to improve uptake.

scholarly journals Information about herd immunity and empathy promote COVID-19 vaccination intentions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Pfattheicher ◽  
Michael Bang Petersen ◽  
Robert Böhm
Keyword(s):  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
High Uptake ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Uptake Rates ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Affective Information

Objective: An effective vaccine against COVID-19 is a desired solution to curb the spread of the disease. However, vaccine hesitancy might hinder high uptake rates and thus undermine efforts to eliminate COVID-19 once an effective vaccine is available. The present contribution addresses this issue by examining two promising ways of increasing the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19.Methods: We conducted two pre-registered online studies (N = 2,315 participants from the UK) in which we either measured (Study 1) or manipulated (Study 2) knowledge about and beliefs in herd immunity, as well as empathy for those most vulnerable to the virus. As a dependent variable, we assessed individuals’ self-reported vaccination intention if a vaccine against COVID-19 became available.Results: We show that the motivation to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is related to and causally promoted by both mere information about herd immunity and by empathy. Thus, interventions that combine cognitive and affective information related to others’ potential suffering appear most effective in increasing the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19.Conclusions: The present research provides a better understanding of the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and highlights two evidence-based possibilities for policymakers in promoting vaccine uptake.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document