Attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine hesitancy and intention to take the vaccine

Abstract

Background: The pandemic is at a paradoxical stage, with vaccine roll out initiated but a significantly elevated level of infection and death. Hope for recovery lies in high equitable vaccine uptake.
 Objective: The study aimed to: i) explore attitudes and factors influencing attitudes, towards the COVID-19 vaccine amongst people living in Malta, ii) identify the reasons as to why individuals are unsure or unwilling to take the vaccine.
 Methods: Two consecutive, short, anonymous online surveys using social media platforms were used to gather data from adult individuals. The first study was open to residents in Malta, while the second study invited international participation. Study 1 consisted of 17 questions inspired by the Theories of Planned Behaviour and Reasoned Action. Study 2 asked participates whether they were willing, unwilling or unsure of taking the vaccine and their reasons for being unsure or unwilling.
 Results: A total of 2,529 individuals participated in Study 1 and 834 in Study 2. In both studies respondents were predominantly female having a tertiary education. Over 50% declared that they were willing to take the vaccine, with males being more willing (t=5.83, df=1164.2, p<0.00005). Opinions of significant others- family and friends (r=0.22, p<0.005) and health professionals (r=0.74, p<0.005) were associated with willingness to take the vaccine. Vaccine hesitancy was present in the study population with 32.6% being unsure and 15.6% declaring that they were not willing to take the vaccine. Females were more likely to be unsure (Chi-squared=14.63, df=4, p=0.006). Lack of vaccine safety was the main reason cited for unwillingness to take the vaccine. Predictors for willingness to take the vaccine were: i) The belief that the COVID-19 vaccine will protect the health of the people who take it; ii) Valuing the advice of health professionals regarding the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine; iii) Having taken the influenza vaccine last year and; iv) Encouraging their elderly parents to take the vaccine.
 Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination information campaigns should promote group strategies, focusing on emphasising the safety of the vaccine and offer reassurance, especially to women.

#Scamdemic, #Plandemic, or #Scaredemic: What Parler Social Media Platform Tells Us about COVID-19 Vaccine

“…Our findings show that Parler users discuss several reasons for vaccine refusal and skepticism regarding the efficacy of the vaccine, refusal among healthcare workers to get vaccinated, and potential side effects of the vaccine. These findings are similar to previous research which reveal several reasons individuals choose to refuse vaccines [53]. The results from the first theme (reasons to refuse COVID-19 vaccines) show that users raise important and legitimate concerns…”

Acceptability of Healthcare Professionals to Get Vaccinated against COVID-19 Two Weeks before Initiation of National Vaccination

“…A positive association was observed between male gender and intention of HCPs to accept COVID-19 vaccination, as in other previous studies [18,23,24,38]. The decisionmaking process of vaccination acceptance may be influenced by the perceptions of risk from COVID-19.…”

“…Females were more unsure. Lack of data for vaccine safety has been reported as the main reason for unwillingness [18]. A national survey in the United States revealed that 42.4% of participants were hesitant to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and approximately 1 in 10 did not intend to be vaccinated.…”

Attitudes towards the COVID-19 Vaccine and Willingness to Get Vaccinated among Healthcare Workers in French Guiana: The Influence of Geographical Origin

“…French hesitancy against the COVID-19 vaccine was already measurable in the general population at the height of the first wave in March 2020 [ 37 ]. COVID-19 vaccination was lower than in other European countries [ 38 , 39 ]. The COVID-19 vaccine refusal was 29.4% (95% CI 28.6–30.2) of the French working-age population and was significantly associated with female gender, age, lower educational level, poor compliance with recommended vaccinations in the past, no chronic conditions and lower perceived severity of COVID-19 [ 9 , 22 ].…”