A systematic review of parental vaccine hesitancy and refusal in childhood vaccination

Abstract Background Acceptance of vaccines is an important predictor of vaccine uptake. This has public health implications as those who are not vaccinated are at a higher risk of infection from vaccine preventable diseases. We aimed to systematically review studies of parental attitudes and beliefs in childhood vaccination, with a focus on the methods used to measure hesitancy and refusal.Methods We identified and reviewed primary research studies using quantitative methods and investigating vaccine attitudes and beliefs published between January 2012 and May 2018. Studies were included if they involved a quantitative survey of the attitudes and beliefs of parents about vaccinations recommended for children. We undertook a narrative synthesis of the results with a focus on evaluating variation in the use of behavioural theories, validated survey instruments, and localisation and adaptation of questions to suit local context.Results A total of 116 studies met the inclusion criteria; 99 used a cross sectional study design, 5 used a case control study design, 4 used a pre-post study design and 8 used mixed methods study designs. Sample sizes of included studies ranged from 49 to 12,259. Thirty-six countries were represented in the included studies. The most commonly used tool was the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) Survey. Questions eliciting vaccination attitudes and beliefs varied widely.Conclusions There was heterogeneity in the types of measures used in studies investigating attitudes and beliefs about vaccination in parents. Broader and more consistent use of validated survey instruments for measuring parental attitudes and beliefs about childhood vaccination would help to better understand localised differences in the reasons for vaccine hesitancy and refusal.

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1172. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Hesitancy in Caregivers of Hospitalized Children

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofab466.1365 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S677-S677

Author(s):

Marisa Orbea ◽

Rachel Cunningham ◽

C Mary Healy ◽

Julie A Boom ◽

Claire Bocchini

Keyword(s):

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Hospitalized Children ◽

Parent Attitudes ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

And Behaviors ◽

Childhood Vaccines ◽

To Receive

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy (VH) is hindering nationwide vaccination efforts; little is known about caregiver SARS-CoV-2 vaccine acceptance for children. We aimed to identify associations with SARS-CoV-2 VH in caregivers of hospitalized children. Methods We conducted a prospective cross-sectional survey in English and Spanish of caregiver COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and associated VH among hospitalized children 6 months - 18 years at a large pediatric medical institution. Parents were approached daily, averaging 4-5 days/week, from 12/8/2020--4/5/2021. VH was assessed using the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey; PACV score ≥50 denoted VH. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used. Responses were categorized. Results 295/307 (96%) of approached caregivers enrolled; 79% were ≥ 30 years, 68% were married/ living with a partner, and 57% had at least some college. 36% identified as white, 19% Black, and 46% Hispanic/ Latino. 53% of caregiver children had public insurance. 91% of caregivers self-reported their children were up to date with routine vaccines. 17% of caregivers were vaccine-hesitant overall. 50% of caregivers were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine themselves. Figure 1 shows intention to vaccinate their child by PACV score. 65% knew someone who was hospitalized for COVID-19. 67% were scared of their child getting COVID-19. However, 49% were scared of their child getting the vaccine, 28% did not want to vaccinate their child and 27% were neutral in the intention to vaccinate their child. Caregivers who did not intend to vaccinate their child were more likely to be Black (27% vs. 16%, p=0.04) and less likely to be Hispanic/ Latino (33% vs. 49%, p=0.02). Table 1 shows attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine in caregivers who did or did not intend to vaccinate their child. Figure 1 COVID-19 vaccine uptake by PACV score Table 1 Caregiver attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccine Conclusion The majority of caregivers believe that SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will help control the pandemic, but less than half plan to vaccinate their children. A quarter of caregivers expressed uncertainty regarding the vaccine and therefore may be amenable to education and discussion. COVID-19 VH is different from VH towards routine vaccinations. More research is needed to address COVID-19 specific VH. Disclosures C. Mary Healy, MD, Dexcom (Shareholder)Intuitive (Shareholder)Quidel Corporation (Shareholder)Up to Date (Other Financial or Material Support, Honorarium)Vapotherm (Shareholder)

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Parental Attitudes and Hesitancy About COVID-19 vs. Routine Childhood Vaccinations: A National Survey

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.752323 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Mohamad-Hani Temsah ◽

Abdullah N. Alhuzaimi ◽

Fadi Aljamaan ◽

Feras Bahkali ◽

Ayman Al-Eyadhy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Parental Attitudes ◽

Safety Information ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Advisory Group ◽

Routine Childhood ◽

Childhood Vaccines

Objectives: To quantify parental acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and assess the vaccine hesitancy (VH) for COVID-19 vs. childhood vaccines.Methods: Eight vaccine hesitancy scale (VHS) items, adopted from WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Immunization (SAGE), were used to assess VH for COVID-19 vaccine vs. routine childhood vaccines. We distributed the online survey to parents with the commence of the national childhood COVID-19 vaccination program in Saudi Arabia.Results: Among 3,167 parents, 47.6% are decided to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. The most common reasons for refusal were inadequate safety information (69%) and worry about side effects (60.6%). Parents have a significantly greater positive attitudes toward children's routine vaccines vs. the COVID-19 vaccine, with higher mean VHS (±SD) = 2.98 ± 0.58 vs. 2.63 ± 0.73, respectively (p-value < 0.001). Parents agreed more that routine childhood vaccines are more essential and effective as compared to the COVID-19 vaccine (Cohen's D: 0.946, and 0.826, consecutively; T-test p-value < 0.00). There is more parental anxiety about serious side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine vs. routine childhood vaccines (Cohen's D = 0.706, p-value < 0.001). Parents who relied on the Ministry of Health information were more predicted (OR = 1.28, p-value = 0.035) to intend to vaccinate as opposed to those who used the WHO website (OR = 0.47, −53%, p-value < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the factors associated with intention to vaccinate children were parents who received COVID-19 vaccine, older parents, having children aged 12–18, and parents with lower education levels.Conclusions: Significant proportion of parents are hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine because they are less confident in its effectiveness, safety, and whether it is essential for their children. Relying on the national official healthcare authority's website for the source of information was associated with increased acceptance of childhood COVID-19 vaccination. As parental intention to vaccinate children against COVID-19 is suboptimal, healthcare authorities could boost vaccine uptake by campaigns targeting hesitant parents.

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Vaccine hesitancy among Sudanese parents and its association with the uptake of measles vaccine

10.20944/preprints202112.0313.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Majdi M. Sabahelzain ◽

Mohamed Moukhyer ◽

Bart van den Borne ◽

Hans Bosma

Keyword(s):

Area Under The Curve ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Childhood Vaccination ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Measles Vaccine ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Measles Vaccination

Vaccine uptake is one of the indicators that has been used to guide immunization programs. This study aimed to evaluate whether the measles vaccine uptake is predicted by measles vaccine hesitancy. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in urban districts in Khartoum state in February 2019. Measles vaccine uptake among children was measured as either fully vaccinated or partially/not vaccinated. The Parents Attitude about Childhood Vaccination (PACV) scale was used to measure measles vaccine hesitancy. Multivariate logistic regression was run to identify the predictors of measles vaccination uptake controlling for sociodemographic variables and the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% CI were calculated. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was performed, besides area under the curve (AUC) for the PACV was computed. Data was collected from 495 participants. We found that measles vaccine hesitancy (PACV scores) predicted the uptake of measles vaccine after controlling other potential social confounders such as mother’s age and the number of children (aOR 1.055, 95% CI 1.028-1.028). Additionally, the ROC for the PACV yielded area under the curve (AUC 0.686 (95% CI 0.620-0.751, P <0.001). Our findings show that measles vaccine hesitancy in Sudan directly influences the uptake of the measles vaccine. Addressing the determinants of vaccine hesitancy through communication strategies will improve vaccine uptake.

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Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines: Point Prevalence Survey of Vaccine Hesitancy in an Irish Population

Pharmacy ◽

10.3390/pharmacy9040188 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 188

Author(s):

Sarah Marshall ◽

Anne C. Moore ◽

Laura J. Sahm ◽

Aoife Fleming

Keyword(s):

Parental Attitudes ◽

Family Doctor ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Future Research ◽

Parent Attitudes ◽

Prevalence Survey ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Childhood Vaccines

Understanding parental attitudes to their children’s vaccination is critical to developing and implementing interventions that address parents’ hesitancy and improve vaccine uptake. The Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey is a validated tool for identifying vaccine hesitancy in parents. We evaluated the rate of vaccine hesitancy and areas of concern regarding childhood vaccinations using an adapted version of the PACV survey, in a convenience sample of parents attending a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) outreach event in Ireland, in 2018. A score ≥ 50 identified vaccine hesitant parents. Of 105 parents who completed the survey, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was 6.7%, (7/105). Parents had concerns around vaccine side effects (36.2%, n = 38), vaccine safety (20%, n = 21) and the number of vaccines administered (13.3%, n = 14). Parents trusted the vaccine information they received (85.6%, n = 90) and 81.9% (n = 86) believed that the vaccine schedule was good for their child. The findings indicate the presence of vaccine hesitancy in parents in Ireland regarding paediatric vaccines with further research necessary to address parents’ vaccine concerns. Future research should explore further, by qualitative methods, parents’ vaccine concerns. There is also potential to identify vaccine hesitant parents with the PACV survey as a surveillance method in healthcare settings; for example, in community pharmacies, family doctor clinics and out-patient clinics.

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A Cross-Sectional Survey on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Parents From Shandong vs. Zhejiang

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.779720 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Yunyun Xu ◽

Dongjuan Xu ◽

Liyan Luo ◽

Fengqiao Ma ◽

Ping Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Parental Attitudes ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Childhood Vaccines ◽

Household Incomes

Introduction: With the approval of COVID-19 vaccinations for children and adolescents in China, parental vaccine hesitancy will emerge as a new challenge with regard to the administration of these vaccines. However, little is known regarding this hesitancy as well as regional differences that may exist between parents from Shandong vs. Zhejiang.Methods: To assess these issues, an online survey was conducted via a Wenjuanxing platform over the period from July 22 to August 14, 2021. Parents from Shandong and Zhejiang were recruited from Wechat groups and results from a total of 917 subjects were analyzed. Factors evaluated in this survey included socio-demographic variables, parental vaccine hesitancy, Parental Attitudes toward Childhood Vaccines (PACV) domains (behavior, safety and efficacy, general attitudes) and social support.Results: Compared with those from Shandong (N = 443), parents from Zhejiang (N = 474) showed significantly higher prevalence rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (19.4 vs. 11.7%, p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that yearly household incomes of ≥120,000 RMB (p = 0.041), medical workers (p = 0.022) and general attitudes of PACV (p = 0.004) were risk factors for vaccine hesitancy among parents from Shandong, while behavior (p = 0.004), safety and efficacy (p < 0.001) and general attitudes of PACV (p = 0.002) were risk factors for parents from Zhejiang. Among parents with vaccine hesitancy (N = 144), concerns over side effects (91.0%) and unknown effects (84.0%) of the COVID-19 vaccine were the most prevalent reasons for hesitancy. Evidence providing proof of vaccine safety (67.4%) and assurance of a low risk of being infected by COVID-19 (60.4%) were the two most effective persuasive factors.Conclusion: Parents from Zhejiang showed a higher prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy as compared with those from Shandong. Behavior, safety and efficacy, and general attitudes of PACV were the risk factors associated with this hesitancy in these parents from Zhejiang. Given the identification of the various reasons for parental vaccine hesitancy, different strategies as well as regional adjustments in these strategies will be required for an effective and convincing protocol for childhood vaccinations.

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1175. Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy in Hospitalized Children, Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofab466.1368 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S678-S679

Author(s):

Marisa Orbea ◽

Jose Dominguez ◽

Rachel Cunningham ◽

C Mary Healy ◽

Julie A Boom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Family Income ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Hospitalized Children ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Flu Shot ◽

Childhood Vaccines

Abstract Background Influenza vaccine is recommended for all children ≥6 months, yet uptake is suboptimal. We aimed to quantify child influenza vaccine coverage and identify factors associated with influenza vaccine hesitancy (VH) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a prospective, repeated cross-sectional assessment in English and Spanish of caregiver influenza knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and associated VH among hospitalized children 6 months through 18 years at a large pediatric medical institution. Caregivers were enrolled 4-5 days per week, between 12/11/2019--1/31/2020 and 12/8/2020--4/5/2021. VH was assessed using the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey; PACV score ≥50 denoted VH. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used. Results During 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 influenza seasons, 269/282 (95%) and 295/307 (96%) of approached caregivers enrolled, respectively. By caregiver report, 94% of children in 2019-2020 and 91% in 2020-2021 were up-to-date with routine childhood vaccines (p=0.13). Specific to influenza vaccine, 73% and 68% of children received or planned to receive influenza vaccine in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, respectively (p=0.13). Based on PACV score, 13% of parents were VH in 2019-2020 compared with 17% in 2020-2021 (p=0.24; Figure 1). Caregivers who had not/did not intend to vaccinate their children had a higher family income (71% vs. 57% >&30,000, p< 0.01) and were less likely to be Hispanic/Latino (35% vs. 47%, p=0.02). 77% of caregivers were satisfied with information about influenza vaccine received from healthcare providers. Overall, 36% believed “you can get the flu from the flu shot.” In 2020-2021, caregivers were less likely to believe that “flu can be a dangerous infection in children,” to be “scared of my child getting the flu” and to agree that “all children over 6 months of age should receive the flu shot every year” (Table 1). Table 1. Caregiver knowledge and attitudes about seasonal influenza vaccine, 2019-20 versus 2020-21 Figure 1. Influenza vaccine uptake by PACV score during 2019-2020 (a) and 2020-2021 (b) seasons Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, caregivers of hospitalized children were less concerned about influenza than pre-pandemic and misinformation about influenza and influenza vaccine persisted. Increased efforts may be needed to educate caregivers about the importance of influenza immunization during the 2021-22 season. Disclosures C. Mary Healy, MD, Dexcom (Shareholder)Intuitive (Shareholder)Quidel Corporation (Shareholder)Up to Date (Other Financial or Material Support, Honorarium)Vapotherm (Shareholder)

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SARS-CoV-2: Vaccine Hesitancy among Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups with HIV in Miami, Florida

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofab154 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Deborah L Jones ◽

Ana S Salazar ◽

Violeta J Rodriguez ◽

Raymond R Balise ◽

Claudia Uribe Starita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Race And Ethnicity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

Advisory Group ◽

Medical Mistrust ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exact Test ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 and HIV disproportionally affect underrepresented ethnoracial groups in the US. Medical mistrust and vaccine hesitancy will likely impact acceptability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. This study examined SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy among underrepresented ethnoracial groups with HIV and identified factors that may reduce vaccine uptake. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults ≥18 years with HIV residing in Miami, FL. Participants were invited to participate in the ACTION (A Comprehensive Translational Initiative on Novel Coronavirus) cohort study. A baseline survey was administered from April-August 2020 and followed by a COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy survey from August-November 2020. The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy survey was adapted from the Strategic Advisory Group Experts survey. Comparisons by race and ethnicity were performed using the Freedman-Haltmann extension of Fisher’s exact test Results A total of 94 participants were enrolled, mean age 54.4 years, 52% female, 60% Black non-Latinx, and 40% non-Black Latinx. Black non-Latinx participants were less likely to agree that vaccinations are important for health when compared to non-Black Latinx (67.8% vs 92.1%, p=0.009), less likely to agree that vaccines are effective in preventing disease (67.8% vs 84.2%, p=0.029), less likely to believe that vaccine information is reliable and trustworthy (35.7% vs 71.1%, p=0.002), and less likely to believe vaccines were unnecessary because COVID-19 would disappear soon (11% vs 21%, p=0.049). Conclusion Medical mistrust, vaccine hesitancy and negative sentiments about SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are prevalent among underrepresented ethnoracial groups with HIV, particularly Black non-Latinx. Targeted strategies to increase vaccine uptake in this population are warranted.

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Willingness to Receive the COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza Vaccines among the Saudi Population and Vaccine Uptake During the Initial Stage of the National Vaccination Campaign: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9070765 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 765

Author(s):

Amel Ahmed Fayed ◽

Abeer Salem Al Shahrani ◽

Leenah Tawfiq Almanea ◽

Nardeen Ibrahim Alsweed ◽

Layla Mohammed Almarzoug ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Influenza Vaccines ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

To Receive

This study aimed to assess the willingness to receive the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and seasonal influenza vaccines and vaccine uptake during the early stage of the national vaccination campaign in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among adult Saudis between 20 January and 20 March 2021. The questionnaire addressed vaccine hesitancy, perceived risk, willingness, and vaccine uptake. Approximately 39% of the participants expressed vaccine hesitancy, and 29.8% and 24% felt highly vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, respectively. The majority (59.5%) were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, although only 31.7% were willing to receive the flu vaccine. Adjusted analysis showed that vaccine hesitancy (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.27–0.43) and the perception of being at high risk (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.68–4.60) independently affected the intention to be vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy was similar among those who were willing to be vaccinated (29.8%) and those who had already been vaccinated (33.1%). The perceived risk was significantly higher among those who had been vaccinated (48.1%) than among those who were willing to be vaccinated but had not yet been vaccinated (29.1%). In conclusion, the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia is high. Saudis who received the vaccine had a similar level of vaccine hesitancy and a higher level of perceived risk.

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1.C. Workshop: How are digital solutions contributing to enhance immunization programmes and policies?

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

◽

Keyword(s):

Conceptual Framework ◽

World Health Organization ◽

Local Level ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Childhood Vaccination ◽

World Health ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization ◽

Immunization Programmes

Abstract As vaccine hesitancy and decreasing immunization coverage have been identified by the World Health Organization as global alarming health threats, it is of crucial importance to exploit the potential offered by digital solutions to enhance immunization programmes and ultimately increase vaccine uptake. We have previously developed and published a conceptual framework outlining how digitalization can support immunization at different levels: i) when adopted for health education and communication purposes, ii) in the context of immunization programmes delivery, and iii) in the context of immunization information systems management. The proposed workshop is co-organized by the EUPHA Digital health section (EUPHA-DH) and EUPHA Infectious diseases control section (EUPHA-IDC) and aims at discussing the current AVAILABILITY, USE and IMPACT of digital solutions to support immunization programmes at the international, national and local level, as well as, debating on how technical infrastructures on one side and normative and policy frameworks on the other side enable their implementation. We plan to have a rich set of contributions covering the following: the presentation of a conceptual framework identifying and mapping the digital solutions' features having the potential to bolster immunization programmes, namely: i) Personalization and precision; ii) Automation; iii) Prediction; iv) Data analytics (including big data and interoperability); and v) Interaction; the dissemination of key results and final outputs of a Europe-wide funded project on the use of Information & Communication Technology to enhance immunization, with particular reference to the use and comparative impact of email remainders and personal electronic health records, as well as the results of an international survey conducted to map and collect best practices on the use of different digital solutions within immunization programmes at the national and regional level; the firsthand experience of the United Kingdom NHS Digital Child Health Programme which developed, implemented and is currently evaluating a number of solutions to increase childhood vaccination uptake in England, including an information standard and information sharing services developed to ensure that the details of children's vaccinations can be shared between different health care settings the perspective and experience of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) for Europe and of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the global level of what has worked so far in the digitalization of immunization programmes around the world, what recommendations were developed and which barriers identified at the technical normative and policy level Key messages Digitalization has great potential to support immunization programmes but its practice and impact need to be measured. Country-level and international experiences have created qualitative and quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of digital intervention aimed at increasing vaccine uptake.

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Attitudes toward the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine: Results from the Saudi Residents’ Intention to Get Vaccinated against COVID-19 (SRIGVAC) Study

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9070798 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 798

Author(s):

Sami H. Alzahrani ◽

Mukhtiar Baig ◽

Mohammed W. Alrabia ◽

Mohammed R. Algethami ◽

Meshari M. Alhamdan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Health Beliefs ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Relative Risk Ratio ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Web Based

Vaccine uptake could influence vaccination efforts to control the widespread COVID-19 pandemic; however, little is known about vaccine acceptance in Saudi Arabia. The present study aimed to assess the Saudi public’s intent to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and explore the associated demographic determinants of their intentions as well as the reasons for vaccine hesitancy. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was distributed to public individuals in Saudi Arabia between 25 December 2020 and 15 February 2021. Participants were asked if they were willing to get vaccinated, and the responses, along with demographic data were entered into a multinomial logistic regression model to assess the relative risk ratio (RRR) for responding “no” or “unsure” versus “yes”. Among 3048 participants (60.1% female, 89.5% Saudi), 52.9% intend to get vaccinated, 26.8% were unsure, and 20.3% refused vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy was significantly higher among females (RRR = 2.70, p < 0.0001) and those who had not been recently vaccinated for influenza (RRR = 2.63, p < 0.0001). The likelihood was lower among Saudis (RRR = 0.49, p < 0.0001), those with less than a secondary education (RRR = 0.16, p < 0.0001), perceived risks of COVID-19, and residents of the southern region (RRR = 0.46, p < 0.0001). The most often cited reasons for hesitancy were short clinical testing periods and concerns about adverse events or effectiveness. Vaccine hesitancy is mediated by many demographic factors and personal beliefs. To address vaccine-related concerns and amend deeply rooted health beliefs, communication should provide transparent information.

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