Intention to Be Vaccinated for COVID-19 among Italian Nurses during the Pandemic

Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally, health systems are overwhelmed by both direct and indirect mortality from other treatable conditions. COVID-19 vaccination was crucial to preventing and eliminating the disease, so vaccine development for COVID-19 was fast-tracked worldwide. Despite the fact that vaccination is commonly recognized as the most effective approach, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccine hesitancy is a global health issue. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of nurses in four different regions in Italy between 20 and 28 December 2020 to obtain data on the acceptance of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccination in order to plan specific interventions to increase the rate of vaccine coverage. Results: A total of 531 out of the 5000 nurses invited completed the online questionnaire. Most of the nurses enrolled in the study (73.4%) were female. Among the nurses, 91.5% intended to accept vaccination, whereas 2.3% were opposed and 6.2% were undecided. Female sex and confidence in vaccine efficacy represent the main predictors of vaccine intention among the study population using a logistic regression model, while other factors including vaccine safety concerns (side effects) were non-significant. Conclusions: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, intention to be vaccinated was suboptimal among nurses in our sample. We also found a significant number of people undecided as to whether to accept the vaccine. Contrary to expectations, concerns about the safety of the vaccine were not found to affect the acceptance rate; nurses’ perception of vaccine efficacy and female sex were the main influencing factors on attitudes toward vaccination in our sample. Since the success of the COVID-19 immunization plan depends on the uptake rate, these findings are of great interest for public health policies. Interventions aimed at increasing employee awareness of vaccination efficacy should be promoted among nurses in order to increase the number of vaccinated people.

Download Full-text

Hesitancy and malignancy: Vaccine hesitancy among individuals with cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.39.28_suppl.148 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽

pp. 148-148

Author(s):

Stacey A. Ingram ◽

Nicole E. Caston ◽

Courtney J. Andrews ◽

Rebecca England ◽

Courtney Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vulnerable Populations ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Nationwide Survey ◽

World Health ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Medical Mistrust ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

The Media

148 Background: The World Health Organization cited vaccine hesitancy as one of 2019’s top ten threats to global health, a threat that has been further exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic. Existing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy research focuses on the general population, but less is known about the specific concerns of medically vulnerable populations, including individuals with cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used data that assessed likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination (likely vs unlikely/unsure) among past or current patients with cancer from a nationwide survey administered in December 2020 by the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF), a non-profit organization that provides case management and financial aid to patients diagnosed with a chronic illness. Inclusion criteria included previous or current cancer treatment, aged ≥ 19, and a valid e-mail address. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, and urban/rural residence were abstracted from the PAF database. Respondents self-reported education level, employment status, trust in media regarding COVID-19 pandemic, and media viewership on COVID-19 vaccine development. The Group-Based Medical Mistrust Scale assessed respondents’ level of mistrust in medical providers based on ethnicity. Likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was evaluated using risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from modified Poisson regression models with robust error variance. All variables were included in our model. Results: Of 429 respondents, 48% were unlikely/unsure about accepting the COVID-19 vaccine, primarily due to concerns about vaccine safety (32%) and worry about health conditions (12%). When compared to those likely to accept COVID-19 vaccine, respondents who were unlikely/unsure were more often Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (40% vs. 23%), aged 36-55 (40% vs. 29%), and female (80% vs. 65%). In adjusted analysis, Black respondents were 55% less likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine, when compared to White respondents (RR 0.55; 95% CI 0.4-0.8). When compared to those who did not follow the media regarding COVID-19 vaccine development, those who followed the media very closely were 4.5 times more likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine (RR 4.5; 95% CI 1.6-13.2). Respondents who reported below average trust in the media were 60% less likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine (RR 0.6; 95% CI 0.5-0.8), compared to those who reported above average trust in the media. Conclusions: Despite being at high risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, a substantial proportion of under-resourced individuals with cancer were unlikely/unsure about vaccination, exposing a significant disconnect between risk of severe disease and vaccine acceptance. Our analysis also reveals a need to assess for and debunk misinformation to increase vaccine enthusiasm among medically vulnerable populations.

Download Full-text

HPV vaccine hesitancy among medical students in China: A multicenter survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-889382/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

liangru zhou ◽

Jian Wang ◽

Pengxin Cheng ◽

Yue Li ◽

Xin Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Hpv Vaccine ◽

Online Survey ◽

Information Sources ◽

Health Management ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

World Health ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Multicenter Survey ◽

Vaccine Information

Abstract Background: In order to examine HPV information sources, vaccine hesitancy, and the association between the two variables. An online survey of HPV information sources and vaccine hesitancy was conducted among Chinese medical students. Methods: The World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccine Hesitancy 3C model was used to evaluate reasons for respondents' vaccine hesitancy. A probit model was used to investigate the association between vaccine information sources and vaccine hesitancy. Results: The reported rate of vaccine hesitancy was 62.36%. Convenience was the primary factor for vaccine hesitancy in medical students, and 37.23% used a single source to obtain vaccine information. A multivariate analysis revealed that men were 9% more likely to be hesitant about the HPV vaccine than women. Respondents without partners were 15% less hesitant than those with a partner. Respondents receiving HPV information through the Internet were 12% less likely to report vaccine hesitancy than those receiving information from other information channels. Conclusions: HPV vaccine hesitancy requires more attention. Future studies could examine whether increasing vaccination locations and dissemination of information about the safety and effectiveness of HPV vaccines as well as using Internet media would help reduce medical students’ vaccine hesitancy and expand HPV vaccine coverage. Trial registration: The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki,and approved by the Harbin Medical University School of Health Management & nstitutional Research Board (reference No.HMUIRB20210006, approved on 30 June 2021).

Download Full-text

COVID-19 Pandemic Causing Depression in Different Sociodemographic Groups in Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136955 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 6955

Author(s):

Hana Sonbol ◽

Hadil M. Alahdal ◽

Rasis A. Alanazi ◽

Khawla Alsamhary ◽

Fuad Ameen

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Online Survey ◽

World Health ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Impact Of Event Scale ◽

Event Scale ◽

The Impact

COVID-19 disease was announced as a global pandemic in March 2020 by the World health organization (WHO). Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to enforce restriction measures such as closing schools, remote working, and a travel ban. We aim to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s depression in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey of 1109 participants was conducted during the curfew between 18th of May and 11th of June 2020. An online questionnaire included questions about the commitment to follow the precautionary measures, knowledge on COVID-19, and depression. Depression was assessed with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised method. Females, unmarried individuals, elderly persons, parents of young children, unemployed, and small families were more likely to be depressed. Education level did not explain the differences in depression. However, the more knowledge the participants had about COVID-19 the better they followed the restrictions. A regression analysis revealed that the commitment of a person to follow the restrictions increased his/her depression symptoms. Attention should be paid to different groups of people in future psychiatric planning.

Download Full-text

Risk, Trust, and Flawed Assumptions: Vaccine Hesitancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.700213 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Omid V. Ebrahimi ◽

Miriam S. Johnson ◽

Sara Ebling ◽

Ole Myklebust Amundsen ◽

Øyvind Halsøy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perceived Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Adult Population ◽

Age Groups ◽

World Health ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Natural Immunity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated

Background: The pace at which the present pandemic and future public health crises involving viral infections are eradicated heavily depends on the availability and routine implementation of vaccines. This process is further affected by a willingness to vaccinate, embedded in the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy. The World Health Organization has listed vaccine hesitancy among the greatest threats to global health, calling for research to identify the factors associated with this phenomenon.Methods: The present cross-sectional study seeks to investigate the psychological, contextual, and sociodemographic factors associated with vaccination hesitancy in a large sample of the adult population. 4,571 Norwegian adults were recruited through an online survey between January 23 to February 2, 2021. Subgroup analyzes and multiple logistic regression was utilized to identify the covariates of vaccine hesitancy.Results: Several subgroups hesitant toward vaccination were identified, including males, rural residents, and parents with children below 18 years of age. No differences were found between natives and non-natives, across education or age groups. Individuals preferring unmonitored media platforms (e.g., information from peers, social media, online forums, and blogs) more frequently reported hesitance toward vaccination than those relying on information obtainment from source-verified platforms. Perceived risk of vaccination, belief in the superiority of natural immunity, fear concerning significant others being infected by the virus, and trust in health officials' dissemination of vaccine-related information were identified as key variables related to vaccine hesitancy.Conclusion: Given the heterogeneous range of variables associated with vaccine hesitancy, additional strategies to eradicate vaccination fears are called for aside from campaigns targeting the spread of false information. Responding to affective reactions in addition to involving other community leaders besides government and health officials present promising approaches that may aid in combating vaccination hesitation.

Download Full-text

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is associated with beliefs on the origin of the novel coronavirus in the UK and Turkey

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291720004067 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-3 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gul Deniz Salali ◽

Mete Sefa Uysal

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Research Effort ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

The Novel ◽

Natural Origin ◽

The Public ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Uk

Abstract Background Much research effort is focused on developing an effective vaccine for combatting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccine development itself, however, will not be enough given that a sufficient amount of people will need to be vaccinated for widespread immunity. Vaccine hesitancy is on the rise, varies across countries, and is associated with conspiratorial worldview. Given the rise in COVID-19-related conspiracy theories, we aimed to examine the levels of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its association with beliefs on the origin of the novel coronavirus in a cross-cultural study. Methods We conducted an online survey in the UK (N = 1088) and Turkey (N = 3936), and gathered information on participants' willingness to vaccinate for a potential COVID-19 vaccine, beliefs on the origin of the novel coronavirus, and several behavioural and demographic predictors (such as anxiety, risk perception, government satisfaction levels) that influence vaccination and origin beliefs. Results In all, 31% of the participants in Turkey and 14% in the UK were unsure about getting themselves vaccinated for a COVID-19 vaccine. In both countries, 3% of the participants rejected to be vaccinated. Also, 54% of the participants in Turkey and 63% in the UK believed in the natural origin of the novel coronavirus. Believing in the natural origin significantly increased the odds of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusions Our results point at a concerning level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, especially in Turkey, and suggest that wider communication of the scientific consensus on the origin of the novel coronavirus with the public may help future campaigns targeting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Download Full-text

Factors Affecting Hesitancy to mRNA and Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines among College Students in Italy

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9080927 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 927

Author(s):

Laura Salerno ◽

Lucia Craxì ◽

Emanuele Amodio ◽

Gianluca Lo Coco

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Viral Vector ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Personality Dimension ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Health Related

Vaccine hesitancy (VH) may be significant in jeopardizing efforts to mass containment of COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on a sample of 2667 Italian college students, before the COVID-19 vaccines became available for this age group (from 7 May to 31 May 2021). An online survey was created to obtain information about socio-demographic, health-related, and psychological factors linked to mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines. Statistically significant higher VH (30.4%) and vaccine resistance (12.2%) rates were found for viral vector than mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (7.2% and 1.0%, respectively; p < 0.001). Factors related to viral vector VH were partially different from those related to mRNA VH. Students with greater endorsement on conspiracy statements and negative attitudes toward the vaccine had higher odds of being vaccine-hesitant or -resistant. Students who had received a previous COVID-19 test and who scored higher on the agreeableness personality dimension had lower odds to be vaccine-hesitant or -resistant. The willingness to choose the vaccine was related to the viral vector but not to the mRNA VH. Taking into consideration the factors involved in vaccine hesitancy/resistance in college students could represent a key public health strategy to increase vaccine coverage and reduce viral spreading.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of and obstacles to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among adults in Lebanon: a cross-sectional online survey

10.1101/2021.05.21.21257613 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nadeem E Abou-Arraj ◽

Diana Maddah ◽

Vanessa Buhamdan ◽

Roua Abbas ◽

Nadine K. Jawad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Additional Burden ◽

Political Economic ◽

Limited Testing

The COVID-19 pandemic is an additional burden on Lebanon's stressed population, fragmented healthcare system, and political, economic, and refugee crises. Understanding the population's intentions to vaccinate, and perceptions of and obstacles to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, can inform Lebanon's vaccination efforts. We performed a cross-sectional study from 29 Jan 2021 to 11 Mar 2021 using an online questionnaire in Arabic via convenience "snowball" sampling to assess the perceptions of adults residing in Lebanon. 1,185 adults participated in the survey. 46.1% [95% CI: 43.2%-49.0%] of survey participants intended to take the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine when available to them, 19.0% [16.8%-21.4%] indicated that they would not, and 34.0% [31.3%-36.8%] were unsure. The most common reasons for hesitancy were concerns about safety, limited testing, side effects, and efficacy. Vaccine hesitancy appears to be high in Lebanon. Disseminating clear, consistent, evidence-based safety and efficacy information on vaccines may help reduce vaccine hesitancy, especially among the large proportion of adults who appear to be unsure about (rather than opposed to) vaccination.

Download Full-text

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability and Its Determinants in Mozambique: An Online Survey

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9080828 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 828

Author(s):

Janeth Dula ◽

Alexandre Mulhanga ◽

Armindo Nhanombe ◽

Laurentino Cumbi ◽

António Júnior ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Side Effects ◽

General Population ◽

Vaccine Efficacy ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Vaccine Acceptability

A high worldwide SARS-CoV-2 vaccine coverage must be attained to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we assessed the level of willingness of Mozambicans to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Data were collected between 11 and 20 March 2021, through a self-administered online survey. Of the 1878 respondents, 30.1% were healthcare workers, 58.3% were aged between 18 and 35 years, 60% were male, and 38.5% were single. Up to 43% had been tested for COVID-19 and 29% had tested positive. Overall vaccine acceptability was 71.4% (86.6% among healthcare workers, 64.8% among other respondents; p < 0.001). Reasons for vaccine hesitancy included: fear of vaccine side effects (29.6%) and the belief that the vaccine is not effective (52%). The acceptability of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine increased with increasing vaccine efficacy. Using logistic regression, determinants for acceptability of the vaccine were: older age, a past COVID-19 test, a concern of becoming (re)infected by COVID-19, having a chronic disease, and considering vaccination important for personal and community health. In conclusion, vaccine acceptability in Mozambique was relatively high among healthcare workers but significantly lower in the rest of the population. This suggests that there is a need to educate the general population about SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and its importance.

Download Full-text

Assessment of influence of social media and peer groups on increasing the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy in India: a prospective cross-sectional survey

10.21203/rs.3.pex-1533/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chaitanya Devulapalli ◽

Swarna Priya B ◽

Yugapriya M ◽

Tharun Kanduri ◽

Heeba Begum J ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Peer Groups ◽

World Health ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cost Efficient ◽

Health Organization ◽

And Control

Abstract Since March 11, 2020, when the World Health Organization proclaimed the fast spread of SARS-CoV-2 a worldwide pandemic, the majority of afflicted nations have continued to adopt non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs, such as physical separation, hand cleanliness, and mask usage), which have been effective in suppressing viral transmission. However, given the fast spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the outbreak's high fatality rate, it is generally agreed that a safe and effective vaccine is essential for controlling the pandemic. Vaccination coverage is one of the most effective and cost-efficient health interventions available for the prevention and control of infectious illnesses, including the COVID-19. While producing an effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine is not straightforward, it's manufacturing, storage, distribution, and administration may offer additional difficulties, particularly in underdeveloped nations. The purpose of the present study sought to determine the general population's acceptability, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy, and the influence of social media and peer groups towards the COVID19 vaccination in India.

Download Full-text

Qualitative Analysis of Underlying Factors Affecting Vaccine Hesitancy in Iran- A Study Protocol (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.22746 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Salime Goharinezhad

Keyword(s):

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Deep Understanding ◽

World Health ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Slight Reduction ◽

Cultural Variation ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Wide Range ◽

Context Specific

BACKGROUND World Health Organization declared the vaccine hesitancy as a global public health threat in 2019. Since even a slight reduction in vaccine coverage rates can lead to a decrease in herd immunity, it is imperative to explore the underlying factors affecting vaccine hesitancy. in specific contexts, considering socioeconomic and cultural variation, to ensure interventions targeting hesitancy are well formulated and intervened. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study is to identify underlying factors affecting vaccine hesitancy in Iran. METHODS A framework qualitative study will be conducted in the west of Tehran province in 2020. Participants in the study will be recruited hesitance-parents who extracted from the SIB system (an electronic health record in Iran) to maximize diversity. Interviews will be analyzed based on ''Determinants of Vaccine Hesitancy Matrix'' which developed by the WHO-SAGE Working Group. RESULTS deep understanding from the context-specific reasons for vaccine hesitancy cause to formulate better strategies to address them. The ultimate goal of this study is to inform future policies to increase the uptake of the vaccine in Iran. CONCLUSIONS This result of study will show variety opinions about vaccination among different types of socioeconomic and demographic households. The wide range of reasons related to vaccine hesitancy imply to more comprehensive, context-specific interventions. Today, the most important intervention issues focus on improving information about effectiveness and safety of vaccines, while other interventions for promoting vaccination is need to addressed.

Download Full-text