COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among young adults in Canada

Abstract

Objectives Vaccine hesitancy is a multifaceted decision process that encompasses various factors for which an individual may choose to get vaccinated or not. We aimed to identify the relationship between COVID-19 conspiracy theories, general attitudes towards vaccines, current COVID-19 vaccine factors, and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Methods The present research is a multi-province cross-sectional study design. Survey data were collected in May and June 2021 ( n =4905) in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Multivariate ordinal regression models were used to assess the association between vaccine hesitant profiles and COVID-19 conspiracy theories, general attitudes towards vaccines, and specific factors pertaining to COVID-19 vaccines. Results Participants were aged 18 to 40 years and 59% were women. Individuals with low income, with low educational attainment, and/or who are unemployed were more likely to be vaccine hesitant. COVID-19 conspiracy theory beliefs and general attitudes towards vaccines are significantly associated with greater hesitancy for the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine factors including pro-vaccine actions and opinions of friends and family and trust in scientists and government as well as the country in which a vaccine is manufactured are associated with less vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion Conspiracy theories are distinct from criticism and concerns regarding the vaccine. Nevertheless, poverty, low level of education, and distrust towards the government are associated with higher odds of being vaccine hesitant. Results suggest it is imperative to deliver transparent and nuanced health communications to address legitimate distrust towards political and scientific actors and address the societal gap regarding general attitudes towards vaccines as opposed to focusing solely on COVID-19. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.17269/s41997-022-00693-x.

Decisions and Decisional Needs of Canadians From all Provinces and Territories During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Population-Based Cross-sectional Surveys

“…In addition, their decisions were influenced by information overload, difficulty separating misinformation from scientific evidence, and difficulty believing scientific evidence. Another survey reported that vaccine-hesitant Canadians aged 18-40 years were influenced by conspiracy theories and a distrust of governments [ 20 ]. Furthermore, protests against public health regulations indicate high levels of distrust of COVID-19 information [ 53 ].…”

“…None of the 45 studies from 7 countries were focused on decision-making needs during pandemics [ 10 ]. A recent cross-sectional study of 4905 Canadians aged 18-40 years reported that factors associated with vaccine hesitancy are negative attitudes toward vaccines in general; COVID-19 conspiracy theory beliefs; distrust of the government; and a low income, low education, or unemployment [ 20 ]. Canada was no exception, as little was known about its health-related decision-making experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Public awareness of and opinions on the use of mathematical transmission modelling to inform public health policy in the United Kingdom

“…As the success of public health policy often depends upon the cooperation of the public, it is important that the public perception of scientific advice, in this case specifically mathematical modelling, is understood. Much of the research into public opinions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has related to vaccine hesitancy [7][8][9] or adherence to public health and social measures [10][11][12][13]. Although Marshall et al [14] interviewed members of the public regarding Test, Trace and Isolate policies with a view to improving assumptions underpinning mathematical modelling, respondents were not explicitly asked about their perceptions of modelling.…”