Willingness to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine among Residents of Slum Settlements

Abstract

Slum residents are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Without a specific treatment, vaccination became the main strategy against COVID-19. In this study, we determined the rate and factors associated with the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among slum residents and their main reasons associated with the vaccine intention. The study was conducted in Pau da Lima, a slum community in Salvador Brazil. In total, 985 residents were interviewed. Among them 66.0% (650/985) were willing to get vaccinated, 26.1% (257/985) were hesitant to take the vaccine and 7.9% (78/285) were not sure. The main reasons cited for vaccine hesitancy or being unsure were concerns about vaccine efficacy and potential side effects. In contrast, the main reasons cited for wanting the vaccine were the high incidence of COVID-19 cases and participants’ self-perception of their own health history. Multivariate analysis identified that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was associated with younger age and low social capital, summarized as low perceived importance of vaccination to protect one’s family, friends and community. Slum residents have been less willing to vaccinate than the general population. Social capital presents a critical opportunity in the design of communication campaigns to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in slum settings.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and associated factors according to sex: A population-based survey in Salvador, Brazil

“…Another potential limitation is related to the question used to assess acceptance of vaccination, as it refers to a context in which vaccination proved to be safe and efficacious. However, at the time of the survey, there were concerns about the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines [2,6,29], and therefore our question may have induced a positive response to vaccine acceptance. We adopted this question because it is similar to questions previously used by other studies, some of which with Brazilian participants [1,8,29].…”

“…However, at the time of the survey, there were concerns about the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines [2,6,29], and therefore our question may have induced a positive response to vaccine acceptance. We adopted this question because it is similar to questions previously used by other studies, some of which with Brazilian participants [1,8,29]. Further studies should assess the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in a context where they are being widely used.…”

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence: Findings from Slums of Four Major Metro Cities of India

“…Currently approved vaccines against COVID-19 have shown promising results. However, adequate coverage of eligible population depends on the uptake of the vaccine, which may vary across sub-populations such as the slum population [11], ethnic minority population [12], and healthcare workers [13]. The challenge of improving vaccine confidence among the general public has become a hindrance for immunization programmes in achieving good vaccine coverage [14].…”

“…This is specifically important considering evidence that the urban poor or slum populations are more likely to be affected by COVID-19 and experience higher morbidity and mortality [10]. Additionally, previous study reviews recognise the growing trend of varying concerns against COVID-19 [11] signifies the necessity of monitoring of vaccine confidence [15]. As a result, the focus of this study was to examine the factors that influence to receiving of the COVID-19 vaccine in urban slums in India.…”

“…Furthermore, they are also unable to accompany aged members in their family for vaccination. The urban population, especially the slum population, have a unique set of factors that expose them to increased risk for COVID-19 infection [11]. They also consist of a migrant population whose health parameters are poorer than the rest, due to low socioeconomic background, limited access to social welfare and vulnerability to marginalization.…”