Comparison of hesitancy between COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccinations within the general Hungarian population: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background The willingness to get COVID-19 or seasonal influenza vaccines has not yet been thoroughly investigated together, thus, this study aims to explore this notion within the general adult population. Methods The responses of 840 Hungarian participants were analysed who took part in a nationwide computer-assisted telephone interviewing. During the survey questions concerning various demographic characteristics, perceived financial status, and willingness to get the two types of vaccines were asked. Descriptive statistics, comparative statistics and word co-occurrence network analysis were conducted. Results 48.2% of participants were willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine, while this ratio for the seasonal influenza was only 25.7%. The difference was significant. Regardless of how the participants were grouped, based on demographic data or perceived financial status, the significant difference always persisted. Being older than 59 years significantly increased the willingness to get both vaccines when compared to the middle-aged groups, but not when compared to the younger ones. Having higher education significantly elevated the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in comparison to secondary education. The willingness of getting any type of COVID-19 vaccine correlated with the willingness to get both influenza and COVID-19. Finally, those who were willing to get either vaccine coupled similar words together to describe their thoughts about a COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion The overall results show a clear preference for a COVID-19 vaccine and there are several similarities between the nature of willingness to get either type of vaccine.

Factors Associated with Willingness to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine in Adult Polish Population—A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…In our study, being vaccinated against the flu in the last season significantly predisposed people to being vaccinated against COVID-19. Similar relationships were found in Hungary [ 35 ] and northern Slovakia [ 38 ], as well as in several other studies concerning different populations and health care workers [ 39 , 40 , 41 ] or students [ 42 ]. Because of its disadvantages [ 43 ], we see influenza vaccination as an indicator of vaccine acceptance, vaccine literacy and even vaccine enthusiasm.…”

“…The opposite results for males were presented for the Polish population on a similarly large sample of adult Internet users. [ 20 ] Otherwise, gender was found to be insignificant in cross-sectional studies of Hungarian [ 35 ] and a Croatian populations [ 36 ]. However, an international systemic review and meta-analysis of predictors linked to acceptability, where among socio-demographic factor gender and educational level were found to be the most efficient, linked females with higher hesitancy [ 30 ].…”

Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccination in Preventing All-Cause Mortality among Adults during the Third Wave of the Epidemic in Hungary: Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

“…There are remarkable differences in the level of knowledge of the population depending on environmental (including policy and media as well) and individual characteristics (e.g., gender, age, ethnicity, income, lifestyle, etc.). The uncertainty of the vaccines’ safety, the potential side-effects (mainly due to the rapid development of vaccines), and the misinformation and conspiratorial beliefs about the severity of COVID-19 are the most listed reasons for vaccine hesitancy [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Therefore, it is essential to have valid, simple, and comprehensive messages on the effectiveness of preventative measures.…”

A COVID–19 elleni oltóanyagot elutasítók az aktív korú felnőtt magyar lakosság körében 2021 decemberében.

“…A hazai vizsgálatok közül a COVID-19-pandémia megjelenése előtt a Fejér megyei népegészségügyi szakigazgatási szerveknél, 2009 és 2017 között hatósági eljárás formájában megjelent oltáselmaradási ügyek vizsgálata során feltárásra került, hogy az elmaradt védőoltások többségének hátterében a szülők tudatos oltásellenes magatartása állt [21]. A COVID-19-pandémia megjelenése után, 2020 augusztusában a magyar felnőtt lakosság körében végzett telefonos felmérés megerősítette, hogy a hazai lakosságban is az iskolai végzettség, az élet-kor és a lakóhely befolyásolja a vakcinációs szándékot [22]. A COVID-19 elleni vakcinációt elutasítók szabad szöveges válaszait (a szavak együttes előfordulásának hálózatát) elemezve a "bizonytalanság" tűnt a meghatározó kulcsszónak [22].…”