scholarly journals Profiles of vaccine hesitancy: The relation between personal experience with vaccines, attitude towards mandatory vaccination, and support for anti-vaccine arguments among vaccine hesitant individuals

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Stasiuk ◽  
Józef Maciuszek ◽  
Mateusz Polak ◽  
Dariusz Doliński
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Attitude Change ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Negative Experience ◽  
Negative Side Effects

This paper investigates the susceptibility to anti-vaccine rhetoric in the vaccine-hesitant population. Based on the literature on attitudes and attitude change it was assumed that susceptibility to anti-vaccine arguments may be related to personal experience with vaccination and to the strength of vaccine hesitant attitudes. The first aim of the study was to investigate the relation between personal experience with post-vaccination side effects and acceptance of select categories of anti-vaccine arguments. The second aim was to compare whether vaccination deniers and the vaccine-ambiguous group differ in their susceptibility to these arguments. The online survey was run in Poland on a final sample of 492 vaccine hesitant respondents. Results indicate that individuals who declared a negative experience with vaccination were persuaded by all types of anti-vaccine arguments. Moreover, pre-existing anti-vaccine skepticism may cause individuals to interpret negative symptoms as consequences of vaccines, further reinforcing the negative attitude. Additionally, it appeared that the vaccine-ambiguous believe in serious negative side effects of vaccination and ulterior motives of pharmaceutical companies, but do not believe that vaccines are ineffective. However, the opinion profile for vaccine deniers indicates that it may be a generalized stance, rather than a set of individual issues concerning different perceived negative aspects of vaccination.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy in a Population-Based Sample in Italy

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 633
Author(s):  
Marco Del Riccio ◽  
Sara Boccalini ◽  
Lisa Rigon ◽  
Massimiliano Alberto Biamonte ◽  
Giuseppe Albora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Trust In Institutions ◽  
General Adult Population ◽  
High Level

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 represents an effective and safe tool to protect the population against the disease; however, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy could be a major barrier to achieving herd immunity. Despite the severity of the current pandemic, the population’s intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among a convenience sample of the general population resident in Italy and the factors associated with hesitancy and acceptance of the vaccine in the context of the current pandemic before the rolling out of COVID-19 vaccines. An anonymous online survey was diffused among a general adult population living in Italy. Participants aged 18 or older and living in Italy were considered eligible. Incomplete questionnaires were excluded. Overall, 7605 valid questionnaires were collected. Most of the participants (81.9%) were inclined to get vaccinated; male sex (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.12–1.71), a high level of trust in institutions (OR 3.93, 95% CI 2.04–7.83), and personal beliefs about high safety of COVID-19 vaccines (OR 56.33, 95% CI 31.57–105.87) were found to be among the significant predictors of COVID-19 acceptance. These data could help design larger studies to address the problem of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the current pandemic.

scholarly journals A high rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a large-scale survey on Arabs

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eyad A Qunaibi ◽  
Mohamed Helmy ◽  
Iman Basheti ◽  
Iyad Sultan
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Academic Education ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Care Workers

Background: Vaccine hesitancy can limit the benefits of available vaccines in halting the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Previously published studies paid little attention to Arab countries, which has a population of over 440 million. In this study, we present the results of the first large-scale multinational study that measures vaccine hesitancy among Arab-speaking subjects.Methods: An online survey in Arabic was conducted from 14-Jan-2021 to 29-Jan-2021. It consisted of 17 questions capturing demographic data, acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine, attitudes towards the need for COVID-19 vaccination and associated health policies, and reasons for vaccination hesitancy. R software- v.4.0.2 was used for data analysis and visualization.Results: The survey recruited 36,220 eligible participants (61.1% males, 38.9% females, mean age 32.6±10.8 years) from all the 23 Arab countries and territories (83.4%) and 122 other countries (16.6%). Our analysis shows a significant rate of vaccine hesitancy among Arabs in and outside the Arab region (83% and 81%, respectively). The most cited reasons for hesitancy are concerns about side effects and distrust in healthcare policies, vaccine expedited production, published studies and vaccine producing companies. We also found that female participants, participants 30-59 year-old, those with no chronic diseases, those with lower-level of academic education, and those who do not know the type of vaccine authorized in their countries are more hesitant to receive COVID-19 vaccination. On the other hand, participants who regularly receive the influenza vaccine, health care workers, and those from countries with higher rates of COVID-19 infections showed more vaccination willingness. Interactive representation of our results is posted on our project website at https://mainapp.shinyapps.io/CVHAA.Conclusion: Our results show higher vaccine hesitancy and refusal among Arab subjects, related mainly to distrust and concerns about side effects. Health authorities and Arab scientific community have to transparently address these concerns to improve vaccine acceptance.Funding: This study received no funding.

scholarly journals Running away from the jab: factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Catussi Paschoalotto ◽  
Eduardo Polena Pacheco Araújo Costa ◽  
Sara Valente de Almeida ◽  
Joana Cima ◽  
Joana Gomes da Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Government Performance ◽  
Political Factors ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Current Vaccine ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how sociodemographic conditions, political factors, organizational confidence, and non-pharmaceutical interventions compliance affect the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Brazil. METHODS: Data collection took place between November 25th, 2020 and January 11th, 2021 using a nationwide online survey. Subsequently, the researches performed a descriptive analysis on the main variables and used logistic regression models to investigate the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS: Less concern over vaccine side effects could improve the willingness to be vaccinated (probability changed by 7.7 pp; p < 0.10). The current vaccine distrust espoused by the Brazilian president is associated with vaccine hesitancy, among his voter base. Lower performance perception (“Very Bad” with 10.7 pp; p < 0.01) or higher political opposition (left-oriented) regarding the current presidency is associated with the willingness to be vaccinated. Higher compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is usually positively associated with the willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine (+1 score to NPI compliance index is associated with higher willingness to be vaccinated by 1.4 pp, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Willingness to be vaccinated is strongly associated with political leaning, perceived federal government performance, vaccine side effects, and compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).

Vaccine hesitancy and trust. Ethical aspects of risk communication

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Nihlén Fahlquist
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Ethical Aspects ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
H1n1 Vaccine ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Government

Aim: This paper analyses vaccination policy from an ethical perspective, against the background of the growing hesitancy towards e.g. the measles vaccine. Methods: The paper is normative and analyses ethical aspects of risk communication in the context of vaccination. It is argued that ethical analysis of risk communication should be done at the level of the message, the procedure and the effects. The paper takes examples from the Swedish context, linking the current lack of trust in experts to the 2009 vaccination policy and communication promoting the H1N1 vaccine Pandemrix. Results: During the Swedish H1N1 vaccination policy in 2009, the message was that the vaccine is safe. However, a group of adolescents developed narcolepsy as a side effect of the vaccine. Taking this into account, it becomes clear that the government should communicate risks and benefits responsibly and take responsibility for individuals affected negatively by populational health interventions. Conclusion: To communicate respectfully entails not treating vaccine sceptics as ill-informed or less educated, but instead taking the concerns of the vaccine hesitant, who potentially could change their minds, as a starting-point of a respectful discussion. There will inevitably be individuals who suffer from side effects of justifiable population-based health promotion activities. However, the public should be able to trust the message and count on the government to take responsibility for individuals affected by side effects. This is important for normative reasons, but is additionally likely to contribute to restored and maintained trust.

scholarly journals COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and vaccine passports: Vaccination or restriction?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shohei Okamoto ◽  
Kazuki Kamimura ◽  
Kohei Komamura
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Objectives: While the development of vaccines against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) brought the hope of establishing herd immunity, which might help end the global pandemic, vaccine hesitancy can hinder the progress towards herd immunity. In this study, we assess the determinants of vaccine hesitancy, reasons for hesitation, and effectiveness of vaccine passports in relaxing public health restrictions. Methods: Through an online survey that includes a conjoint experiment of a demographically representative sample of 5,000 Japanese adults aged 20-74, we assess the determinants of vaccine hesitancy, reasons for hesitation, and effectiveness of hypothetical vaccine passports. Results: We found that about 30% of respondents did not intend to vaccinate or have not yet decided, with major reasons for vaccine hesitancy being related to concerns about the safety and side effects of the vaccine. In line with previous findings, younger age, lower socioeconomic status, and psychological factors such as weaker COVID-19 fear were associated with vaccine hesitancy. The easing of public health restrictions such as travel, wearing face masks, and dining out at night was associated with an increase in vaccine acceptance by 4-10%. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy can be reduced by mitigating the concerns about vaccine safety and side effects, as well as by relaxing public health restrictions. However, the feasibility of vaccine passports needs to be sufficiently assessed, taking the ethical issues of passports and the public health impacts of the relaxation of restrictions into careful consideration.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Mongolia: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 12903
Author(s):  
Davaalkham Dambadarjaa ◽  
Gan-Erdene Altankhuyag ◽  
Unurtesteg Chandaga ◽  
Ser-Od Khuyag ◽  
Bilegt Batkhorol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Personal View ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Information

Vaccine acceptance in the general public is essential in controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study aimed to assess the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the adult population of Mongolia, and determine the associated factors. A total of 2875 individuals from urban and rural areas were recruited, and completed an online survey. Older age, urban residence, previous vaccination, high education, good knowledge of side effects, and a personal view of the importance of vaccines were associated with vaccine acceptability, whereas gender and religion were not. Receiving COVID-19 vaccine information from official government pages was related to a higher acceptance rate. Reliance on social media as a source of COVID-19 vaccine information was associated with high level of vaccine hesitancy. The side effects and the type of the COVID-19 vaccine were a major reason for hesitation. Countering false information regarding COVID-19 vaccines on social media, and promoting vaccine importance on general news websites is necessary. Moreover, providing clear and direct educational materials through official communication channels on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines alongside information on COVID-19 symptoms, vaccine side effects, and location of vaccine administration centers among the younger populations, rural residents, and those with lower education is needed.

scholarly journals Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination at different hypothetical efficacy and safety levels in ten countries in Asia, Africa, and South America

Narra J ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dott F. Rosiello ◽  
Samsul Anwar ◽  
Amanda Yufika ◽  
Rashed Y. Adam ◽  
Mohajer IH. Ismaeil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
South American ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Acceptance Rates

Vaccine hesitancy, defined as the reluctance or rejection in receiving a vaccine despite its availability, represents a major challenge to global health efforts aiming to control the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the possible factors correlated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy using a refined well-informed approach can be helpful to address the phenomenon. The current study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates using four hypothetical scenarios of varying levels of vaccine efficacy and safety profiles in ten Asian, African and South American countries. These scenarios included: 95% efficacy and 20% side effects (Vaccine A), 75% efficacy and 5% side effects (Vaccine B); 75% efficacy and 20% side effects (Vaccine C) and 50% efficacy and 5% side effects (Vaccine D). This study used a self-administered online survey that was distributed during February–May 2021. The total number of study respondents was 1337 with countries of residence as follows: India (21.1%), Pakistan (12.9%), Sudan (11.2%), Nigeria (9.3%), Iran (8.2%), Bangladesh and Brazil (7.9%), Chile (7.7%), Tunisia (7.6%), and Egypt (6.2%). The overall acceptance rates for COVID-19 vaccination were variable based on varying degrees of safety and efficacy as follows: 55.6% for Vaccine C, 58.3% for Vaccine D, 74.0% for Vaccine A and 80.1% for Vaccine B. The highest levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were observed in Brazil followed by Chile across the four different safety and efficacy scenarios. The lowest COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates were reported in Egypt and Tunisia for the low safety scenarios (20% side effects), and the low efficacy scenario (50% efficacy). The study revealed the potential effect of vaccine safety and efficacy on the intention to get COVID-19 vaccination. At the same efficacy level, higher possibility of side effects caused a large drop in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate. This indicates the importance of accurate communication regarding vaccine safety and efficacy on attitude towards the vaccine and intentions to get vaccinated. Regional differences in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were observed with the Middle East/North African countries showing the lowest rates and the South American countries displaying the highest vaccine acceptance rates.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination: An Online Survey in Slovenia

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
Luka Petravić ◽  
Rok Arh ◽  
Tina Gabrovec ◽  
Lucija Jazbec ◽  
Nika Rupčić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Slovenian Population ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Open Question

While the problem of vaccine hesitancy is not new, it has become more pronounced with the new COVID-19 vaccines and represents an obstacle to resolving the crisis. Even people who would usually trust vaccines and experts now prefer to wait for more information. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Slovenia in December 2020 to find out the attitudes of the population regarding COVID-19 vaccination and the factors that affect these attitudes. Based on 12,042 fully completed questionnaires, we find that higher intention to get vaccinated is associated with men, older respondents, physicians and medical students, respondents who got the influenza vaccination, those who knew someone who had gotten hospitalised or died from COVID-19 and those who have more trust in experts, institutions and vaccines. Nurses and technicians were less likely to get vaccinated. In answers to an open question, sceptics were split into those doubting the quality due to the rapid development of the vaccine and those that reported personal experiences with side effects of prior vaccinations. Although the Slovenian population is diverse in its attitudes towards vaccination, the results are comparable to those found in other countries. However, there are potential limitations to the generalizability of the findings that should be addressed in future studies.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Resistance in India Explored through a Population-Based Longitudinal Survey

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1064
Author(s):  
Srikanth Umakanthan ◽  
Sonal Patil ◽  
Naveen Subramaniam ◽  
Ria Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Hot Spots ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Population Based ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
High Level

Background: The World Health Organization has recommended that individual governments identify vaccine hesitancy areas. It is proposed that the governments, with the aid of local organizations, educate and implement social insights on the vaccination so that high population levels are covered with this safe immune program. Methods: A longitudinal online survey covered 3000 adults from India. We examined the demography, behavioral (socio-economic) attitude, vaccine hesitancy, vaccine resistance for the COVID-19 vaccine. The specific reasons for the COVID-19 vaccine decline were also evaluated. Results: Our survey revealed 59% definite response, 29% low-level response, and 7% high-level response for vaccine hesitancy, while 6% had resistant views on the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals who had higher income levels, lived in a society, maintained social distancing, had downloaded the COVID-19 update app, showed a positive attitude towards their government, and more confidence in their healthcare system were more inclined towards the vaccination. On the contrary, individuals who had overstated the risks of COVID-19 and had a religious and populistic attitude towards vaccination were more hesitant/resistant to vaccination. The respondents who declined vaccine administration were further evaluated for their specific reason for their response. The most common reasons for declining the COVID-19 vaccine were post-vaccine scare of adverse health effects and accepting the information spread by social media. Conclusions: The results in our study show that by identifying population “hot spots” that have negative or unclear information on the COVID-19 vaccination, these “hot spots” can be addressed by involving friendly organizations that can clear their strong disbeliefs and increase the percentage of vaccine-definite people within the population. The role of government-induced COVID-19 vaccine policy measures can always be beneficial to cause this shift from disbelief to confidence within the population.

Restrictions on access to Over The Counter drugs – an obstacle or a chance for better treatment?

Ból ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Paulina Pisaniak ◽  
Dorota Ozga ◽  
Aleksander Tarczoń ◽  
Patryk Stokłosa ◽  
Dominika Piękoś ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
General Idea ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
The People ◽  
Negative Side Effects ◽  
Active Substances

The use of OTC drugs is very popular in Poland. However, not many people realise what dangers stem from the inappropriate use of those medications. One of the most prominent abuse of OTC drugs is improper dosage, which may cause negative side effects leading to the deterioration of the patient’s health. A potential solution to this problem is the imposition of restrictions on the availability of OTC drugs, which could raise the awareness of the buyers. The people surveyed have been grouped on the basis of gender, age, education and place of living. The results of the survey show which OTC drugs are most frequently bought, where those drugs are bought and what the most frequent reasons for taking painkillers are. Moreover, more detailed data (taking into account the gender, the age, the education and the place of living of the respondents) has been gathered in regard to reading the package leaflets of the drugs, combining drugs and understanding the hazards of doing so. The interviewees have also expressed their opinions on the use of the new substitutes for OTC drugs and the prospective selling restriction of OTC drugs proposed by the Ministry of Health. Thanks to the information obtained, a general idea of the level of Poles’ knowledge about over-the-counter drugs can be formed. The study has shown that: Ibuprom, APAP and Paracetamol are the most popular OTC drugs. Stemming from this tendency is the frequent overdose of one of the active substances paracetamol. As far as the selling restriction plan of the Ministry of Health is concerned, the negative attitude towards it results from the fear of not being able to get the medications quickly, all the while restraining the spread of the substitutes. Finally, the issue of recurring side effects remains the matter of not reading the package leaflets of the drugs before use.

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