Factors Related to the Acceptance and Rejection of COVID-19 Vaccination

Abstract

Aims Despite various government measures, control of COVID-19 requires immediate action, including vaccine production. Given the role of vaccine acceptance factors in future planning, this study aimed to unfold the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Gonabad. Methods & Materials This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 292 people in Gonabad city, Iran, in 2021. The random multi-stage sampling method was used to select two groups of samples: Vaccinated and unvaccinated. The data collection tool consisted of a demographic checklist and a researcher-made questionnaire on the reasons for accepting or rejecting the COVID-19 vaccination. Data were collected by telephone and analyzed by SPSS software, version 23 using mean, standard deviation, and the Chi-square test at a significance level of less than 0.05. Findings Most of the research participants were women (51%). The Mean±SD age of the vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups was 57.55±12.24 and 55.38±41.1 years, respectively. Two factors of living with people at risk (88.5%) and respect for the rights of others (80.9%) were the most important reasons for accepting and worrying about the side effects of the vaccine (63%). Worrying about the content and lack of knowledge about the effectiveness of the vaccine (45.3%) were mentioned as the most important reasons for not accepting the COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion Considering the importance of two factors, including the concern about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine and concern about the content and ineffectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine in rejecting COVID-19 vaccine, increasing public awareness and knowledge about the effectiveness of vaccines in the country seems necessary to plan and invest on a large scale in the country through reliable sources as well as efforts to reduce the fear of the consequences of vaccination.

Analysis of ethical considerations of COVID‑19 vaccination: lessons for future

“…Health service providers should be reminded that the advantages of public health measures and interventions are more than the disadvantages for the public [ 38 ]. The results of Pourshahri’s study showed that factors such as the fear of side effects of the vaccine, concern about the content of the vaccine and lack of knowledge about its effectiveness are related to the non-acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination [ 39 ]. Gaduth’s study showed that 35% of health workers are worried about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine [ 40 ].…”

“…The goal of protecting society can justify not respecting people’s autonomy. It seems that the more serious the damage to the society, the more defensible these arguments become (Utilitarianism) [ 39 ]. According to ethical principles, the health system is in charge of making preventive interventions to promote public health and protect society from infectious diseases that may pose serious threats to the health of society.…”

“…Those involved in the health system should look for a correct and suitable solution so that the individual health of society is not threatened as well as the public health of society. The results of Pourshahri’s research showed that 9% of the vaccinated population mentioned respecting others’ rights by getting vaccinated as one reason for accepting the COVID-19 vaccination [ 39 ]. In Bell’s study, vaccination for the sake of protecting oneself and others was suggested as the most common reason for accepting the COVID-19 vaccine [ 46 ].…”

“…Some research on health workers showed the lack of transparency in information available to the public about a vaccine is considered the main reason for avoiding vaccination [ 40 ]. The existing literature shows that public concern is due to the lack of knowledge about the content and efficacy of the vaccine, which itself can be a reason for the public lack of trust in vaccination [ 39 ]. In other words, to convince communities to accept vaccination, hard evidence is needed about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.…”

Why healthcare providers are not vaccinated? A qualitative study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran

“…Four studies investigated Iranians' logic for not acquiring the vaccine [31][32][33][34]. Among them, two examined the vaccine acceptance and two the attitudes of the population about the COVID-19 vaccination [35][36][37][38]. In addition, a review has been conducted on the willingness and unwillingness to acquire COVID-19 vaccination at the international level.…”