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

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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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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Parent attitudes about childhood vaccines: a vaccine hesitancy point prevalence study.

10.1101/2021.07.26.21261018 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Marshall ◽

Anne C Moore ◽

Laura J Sahm ◽

Aoife Fleming

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccination Schedule ◽

Survey Study ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Parent Attitudes ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Childhood Vaccines

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy using Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey regarding paediatric vaccines for their children, in a population of parents attending a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) outreach event in Cork, Ireland. Study design Cross-sectional survey study. Methods This study was conducted in November 2018 at the Community Festival of Science STEM event. Eligible attendees were invited to read the participant information leaflet, provide written informed consent, and complete the validated Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey. Each of the 15 PACV survey items was scored. A score ≥50 identified vaccine hesitant parents. Results A total of 105 parents participated in the study. A small number of participants (6.7%, n = 7) were identified as vaccine hesitant. There were no statistically significant differences between the vaccine hesitant and non-hesitant groups based on age, education, or number of children. Parents had concerns around vaccine side effects (36.2%, n=38) and vaccine safety (20%, n=21). Parents trusted the information they received on vaccines (85.6%, n=90) and 81.9% (n=86) believed that the vaccine schedule was good for their child. Conclusions The findings of this research indicate the presence of vaccine hesitancy in parents in Ireland regarding paediatric vaccines. Parents had concerns regarding vaccine side effects and the number of vaccines on the paediatric immunisation schedule. Further research is necessary to understand how these issues may contribute to vaccine hesitancy, and to develop evidence-based interventions to build on parents existing trust in the vaccination schedule.

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

10.21203/rs.2.14640/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Amalie Dyda ◽

Catherine King ◽

Aditi Dey ◽

Julie Leask ◽

Adam Dunn

Keyword(s):

Study Design ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Parental Attitudes ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Childhood Vaccination ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Attitudes And Beliefs ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Survey Instruments ◽

Childhood Vaccines

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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The Role of Emotional Competences in Parents’ Vaccine Hesitancy

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9030298 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 298

Author(s):

Teresa Gavaruzzi ◽

Marta Caserotti ◽

Irene Leo ◽

Alessandra Tasso ◽

Leonardo Speri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotional Competence ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Mental Images ◽

Emotional Competencies ◽

Vaccine Refusal ◽

Behavior Study ◽

Childhood Vaccines ◽

Role Of Parents

The role of parents’ emotional competencies on vaccine hesitancy and decision making has been seldom examined. Two studies investigated the relationship between parents’ attitudes towards childhood vaccines and self-reported behavior (Study 1) and between parents’ emotional competence and attitudes towards vaccines (Study 2). In Study 1, predictors of temporal, partial, or complete vaccine refusal (having voluntarily postponed/forgone some/all vaccines) were examined in 2778 parents. In Study 2, psychological predictors of the attitude towards vaccines were examined in 593 parents, using the Profile of Emotional Competence and the valence of mental images spontaneously associated with the term “vaccine”. In Study 1, attitudes were aggregated in three independent factors (concerns about vaccine safety; diseases prevented by vaccines; and naturalistic views) that independently predicted vaccine refusal. In Study 2, a significant mediational analysis showed a positive indirect effect of intrapersonal emotional competences on attitudes towards vaccines, through mental images associated with the word “vaccine”. Parents’ intrapersonal emotional competences affected all dimensions of attitudes towards vaccines, suggesting that being able to manage, identify, and recognize one’s own emotions is central to vaccine acceptance. These findings suggest that intervention strategies, rather than stressing the pro-social benefits of vaccinating, should focus on aspects related to one’s own emotions.

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Increasing vaccine uptake in Sudan: Development of a web-based intervention (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.32326 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Majdi Sabahelzain ◽

Rik Crutzen ◽

Mohamed Moukhyer ◽

Hans Bosma ◽

Bart van den Borne

Keyword(s):

User Experience ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Arabic Language ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Local Context ◽

Middle Income ◽

Web Based ◽

Content Quality

BACKGROUND WHO described Vaccine hesitancy in 2019 as one of the top 10 threats to global health in high, and low, and middle-income countries. Various communication approaches have been used to engage the public about vaccines and immunization such as mass media and e-health strategies. With the expansion in the use of communication technologies in health in recent years, websites have increasingly been used to support vaccine acceptance and demand and thus increase vaccine uptake. We recently established a web-based intervention called the Tat3im initiative website in Sudan. It aims to increase uptake of vaccines in Sudan by increasing knowledge and addressing issues related to vaccine hesitancy and vaccine safety in the Arabic language OBJECTIVE This article describes the processes that we used to develop and improve this website including the creation of its content. METHODS These processes were informed by using and combining three sources including, Garrett’s user experience framework as a basis for the development, the WHO Vaccine Safety Net's (VSN) criteria for good information practices (i.e. credibility, content (quality and quantity), design and accessibility criteria), and previous relevant research that assessed the local context in Sudan. RESULTS We found that using such evidence as well as combining the VSN's criteria and previous research findings in the five planes of Garrett's framework enabled us to cover many essential elements of user experience and to address issues related to the website’s strategy and content. CONCLUSIONS As the website may be limited due to the high rates of illiteracy as well as relatively low internet use in Sudan, we suggest using social marketing to promote the use of the website as well as monitoring and evaluating the website and users’ experience using different approaches such as visitor traffic and qualitative measures.

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The Behavioral Immune System and Vaccination Intentions During the Coronavirus Pandemic

10.31234/osf.io/r8uaz ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Linda C. Karlsson ◽

Anna Soveri ◽

Stephan Lewandowsky ◽

Linnea Karlsson ◽

Hasse Karlsson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Psychological Adaptation ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

System Response ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Behavioral Immune System ◽

Immune System Response ◽

The Relationship

The behavioral immune system is considered to be a psychological adaptation that decreases the risk of infection. Research suggests that, in the current environment, this system can produce attitudes with negative health consequences, such as increased vaccine hesitancy. In three studies, we investigated whether two facets of the behavioral immune system—contamination aversion (i.e., avoiding potential contamination) and perceived infectability (i.e., perceived susceptibility to disease)—predicted intentions to accept COVID-19, influenza, and measles or general childhood vaccinations. Both contamination aversion and perceived infectability were higher during than before the pandemic. In contrast to previous research, those with higher contamination aversion during the pandemic perceived vaccines to be safer and had higher intentions to accept vaccination. Contamination aversion before the pandemic was not associated with perceived vaccine safety or vaccination intentions during the pandemic. Individuals who perceived themselves as more susceptible to diseases were slightly more willing to accept vaccination. We conjecture that high disease threat reverses the relationship between the behavioral immune system response and vaccination. As the associations were weak, individual differences in contamination aversion and perceived infectability are of little practical relevance for vaccine uptake.

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Prevalence and Determinants of Vaccine Hesitancy in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ] ◽

10.18295/squmj.4.2021.023 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Youssef Ali Alqahtani ◽

Khalid Hussein Almutairi ◽

Yahya Mohammed Alqahtani ◽

Ahmed Hussein Almutlaq ◽

Anas Ali Asiri

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccination Schedule ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Childhood Vaccines ◽

Child Vaccination

Objectives: Vaccination is the provision of a vaccine to initiate immunity trough stimulating immune system to develop protection from a certain disease. When a sufficiently large proportion of a population has been vaccinated, herd immunity initiated. The effectiveness of vaccination has been widely studied and verified. Although the harsh vaccine safety systems, some parents remain minded regarding the safety of the childhood vaccines and immunization schedule. These hesitations pushed some parents to not allow their children to receive some or all the scheduled vaccines. The aim of the study is to assess the general population awareness regarding vaccines and to detect prevalence of vaccine hesitancy in Aseer region, southern of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional approach was used targeting all parents in Aseer region. Data were collected using structured questionnaire which developed by the researchers after intensive literature review and expert’s consultation. The questionnaire data included parents’ socio-demographic data, parents’ awareness regarding child vaccines safety and efficacy, parents’ attitude and adherence to children vaccination and hesitancy towards vaccines. Results: The survey included 796 participants whose ages ranged from 18 to 55 years old. Two thirds (63.4%) of the participants were females. Regarding vaccination adherence and hesitancy among participants, more than three quarters were completely adherent to the child vaccination schedule and only 3.9% were non adherent. As for participants awareness regarding child vaccination safety and efficacy, 89.3% of the respondents agreed on that vaccination keep child healthy, 84.2% reported that child vaccine is safe and effective, 83.4% said that all Saudi scheduled vaccines are effective. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study revealed that vaccine hesitancy among participants was not low and should be considered irrespective of their high awareness level. The recorded antivaccine action was mostly related to vaccines safety not efficacy. Keywords: Vaccine hesitancy, antivaccine movement, parents, awareness, adherence

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Willingness, beliefs, and barriers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia: a multiregional cross-sectional study

BMC Family Practice ◽

10.1186/s12875-021-01606-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Noura Altulahi ◽

Shouq AlNujaim ◽

Azzam Alabdulqader ◽

Abdullah Alkharashi ◽

Assaf AlMalki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Considerable Proportion ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High School Degree ◽

Validated Questionnaire

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide, and the vaccine remains the ultimate cornerstone to overcoming its long-term impact. Vaccine hesitancy might obstruct the effort to achieve herd immunity and eradicate the virus. We assessed Saudi Arabian individuals’ willingness, beliefs, and barriers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and their adherence to preventive measures during and after the pandemic. Methods A self-administered electronic validated questionnaire was distributed among the five major regions in Saudi Arabia between November and December 2020. The questionnaire addressed the sociodemographic data, beliefs, potential barriers, parents’ acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination for their children, and adherence to protective measures during and after the pandemic. Results Of 8,056 participants, 4,218 (52.4%) of a non-representative sample were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Being a young adult, male, having less than a high school degree, being a smoker, having a chronic disease, and having a history of seasonal influenza vaccine uptake were positive predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Hesitant participants reported concerns about vaccine side effects and safety as the main barriers to accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. Some refusers (26.1%) declared that they would reconsider vaccination only if the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine were reported by more studies. Conclusions Our study revealed a promising willingness to accept the vaccine among the population, with positive beliefs and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. However, a considerable proportion of the population was reluctant to accept the vaccine. Thus, publicly providing information about vaccine safety and implementing health education programs is crucial for increasing the public’s confidence in the vaccine.

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