Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability Among Health Professions Students in Vietnam
Abstract Background: The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy or refusal has actually been a threat to global health. In the current situation, health profession students are at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection during their internship at healthcare facilities. Furthermore, those future healthcare workers will advise people to accept the COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, the attitude of students towards vaccine acceptance and the predicting factors needs to be elucidated. This study applied the Health Belief Model to determine predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among health professions students. Methods: 911 students participated in a cross‐sectional online survey in Vietnam. Multinomial logistic regression model determined predictors of the COVID-19 vaccine acceptability. Results: The overall vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and refusal rates were 58% (95% CI: 54.7% - 61.3%), 40.4% (95% CI: 37.2% - 43.7%) and 1.5% (95% CI: 0.8% - 2.6%), respectively. Regarding vaccination hesitancy, a predictor such as "Receiving recent flu shots” had a negative correlation, whereas "Vaccines haves little efficacy & serious adverse effects” (Perceived barriers), nationality, and majors were positive correlates. For refusal, "Unvaccinated students feasibly infected COVID-19 during hospital internship” (Perceived susceptibility) was a negative correlate. For both hesitancy and refusal, "Mass media appreciating effectiveness and safety of vaccines" (Cues to action), and " Health professions students get serious complications of COVID-19 if not vaccinated" (Perceived severity) had a negative correlation. In contrast, "Manufacturers do not disclose adverse effects of vaccines" (Cues to action), and "Adverse effect causes death" (Perceived barrier) were positive correlates. Strong Health Belief Model predictors of vaccine refusal were "Manufacturers do not disclose adverse effects of vaccines" (Cues to action) (OR= 5.299, 95% CI: 1.687-16.641, p= 0.004), and "Adverse effect causes death" (Perceived barrier) (OR= 10.255, 95% CI = 3.528-29.814, p= 0.0005). Conclusion: Perceived susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 might lead to vaccination acceptance among students. However, concerns of vaccine effectiveness and safety may still affect the choice of refusal or hesitancy in vaccination. Health information from mass media and transparency of vaccine effectiveness and safety could improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.