Compulsory Vaccination against COVID-19, Influenza and Monkeypox: Pros and Cons

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 8485

Special Issue Editors

Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 19328, Jordan
Interests: vaccine hesitancy; molecular epidemiology of virus infections
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
Interests: diagnostic microbiology and immunology; epidemiology of infectious diseases; epidemiology of nosocomial infections; continuing medical education

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The continuous emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases require public health control measures aiming to reduce their negative health, economic and social impact. Vaccination is considered the mainstay preventive measure to control infectious diseases. This was evident during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, during which the swift availability of safe and effective vaccines helped to reduce the burden of disease. Nevertheless, the successful implementation of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns was challenged by the issue of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

One approach to overcome this widely prevalent phenomenon was the introduction of vaccine mandates that enforce vaccination to permit activities including work, education, travelling, etc. Compulsory vaccination controversies also extend to involve the enforcement of influenza vaccination among health professionals, which has been investigated previously; nevertheless, conflicting data regarding the value of this approach on patient care require further investigation. Furthermore, the multi-country monkeypox outbreak requires the evaluation of different population attitudes regarding its vaccination—especially among the most at-risk groups and among healthcare workers.

However, vaccine mandates to promote vaccination as opposed to persuasion raised bioethical and legal concerns. Therefore, the pros and cons of vaccine mandates is a research area that needs further investigation.

This Special Issue will focus on the studies addressing attitude towards compulsory vaccination, with a special focus on seasonal influenza, COVID-19, and monkeypox vaccine mandates.

Dr. Malik Sallam
Prof. Dr. Azmi Mahafzah
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • voluntary vaccination
  • mandatory vaccination
  • seasonal influenza vaccination
  • monkeypox vaccination
  • COVID-19 vaccination
  • vaccination policy

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 2082 KiB  
Article
Previous Vaccination History and Psychological Factors as Significant Predictors of Willingness to Receive Mpox Vaccination and a Favorable Attitude towards Compulsory Vaccination
by Haneen Mahameed, Kholoud Al-Mahzoum, Lana A. AlRaie, Razan Aburumman, Hala Al-Naimat, Sakher Alhiary, Muna Barakat, Ala’a B. Al-Tammemi, Nesreen A. Salim and Malik Sallam
Vaccines 2023, 11(5), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11050897 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2046
Abstract
During the ongoing multi-country monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak, healthcare workers (HCWs) have represented a key group in mitigating disease spread. The current study aimed to evaluate the attitude of nurses and physicians in Jordan towards Mpox vaccination, as well as their attitude towards compulsory [...] Read more.
During the ongoing multi-country monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak, healthcare workers (HCWs) have represented a key group in mitigating disease spread. The current study aimed to evaluate the attitude of nurses and physicians in Jordan towards Mpox vaccination, as well as their attitude towards compulsory vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza, and Mpox. An online survey was distributed in January 2023 based on the previously validated 5C scale for psychological determinants of vaccination. Previous vaccination behavior was assessed by inquiring about the history of getting the primary and booster COVID-19 vaccination, influenza vaccine uptake during COVID-19, and any history of influenza vaccine uptake. The study sample consisted of 495 respondents: nurses (n = 302, 61.0%) and physicians (n = 193, 39.0%). Four hundred and thirty respondents (86.9%) had heard of Mpox before the study, and formed the final sample considered for Mpox knowledge analysis. Deficiencies in Mpox knowledge were reflected in a mean knowledge score of 13.3 ± 2.7 (out of 20.0 as the maximum score), with significantly lower knowledge among nurses and females. The intention to receive Mpox vaccination was reported by 28.9% of the participants (n = 143), while 33.3% were hesitant (n = 165), and 37.8% were resistant (n = 187). In multivariate analysis, Mpox vaccine acceptance was significantly associated with previous vaccination behavior, reflected in higher vaccine uptake and with higher 5C scores, while Mpox knowledge was not correlated with Mpox vaccination intention. The overall attitude towards compulsory vaccination was neutral, while a favorable attitude towards compulsory vaccination was associated with higher 5C scores and a history of previous vaccination uptake. The current study showed a low intention to get Mpox vaccination in a sample of nurses and physicians practicing in Jordan. The psychological factors and previous vaccination behavior appeared as the most significant determinants of Mpox vaccine acceptance and of attitudes towards compulsory vaccination. The consideration of these factors is central to policies and strategies aiming to promote vaccination among health professionals in efforts to prepare for future infectious disease epidemics. Full article
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11 pages, 274 KiB  
Article
Associations between Influenza Vaccination and Health Care Access among Adults in the United States
by Morgan Gurel-Headley, Mariam Mamisashvili, Sheena CarlLee, Sharon Reece, Christina Chapman, Shashank Kraleti, Jennifer A. Andersen, James P. Selig, Don E. Willis, Ji Li and Pearl A. McElfish
Vaccines 2023, 11(2), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11020416 - 11 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1350
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the relationship between influenza vaccination and health care access. Furthermore, despite the well-documented disparities in vaccine coverage for communities of color, few studies have examined how experiences of discrimination may influence vaccine uptake. To fill this gap in the [...] Read more.
Few studies have investigated the relationship between influenza vaccination and health care access. Furthermore, despite the well-documented disparities in vaccine coverage for communities of color, few studies have examined how experiences of discrimination may influence vaccine uptake. To fill this gap in the literature, this study examined associations between 5-year influenza vaccination rates and sociodemographic characteristics, health care access, and racial discrimination. Age, race/ethnicity, education, health care coverage, primary care provider, no medical care due to cost, and routine doctor checkups were significant correlates of 5-year influenza vaccination. In contrast to previous studies, discrimination scores were not a significant correlate of regular influenza vaccination. Respondents who reported forgoing care due to cost were less likely to report vaccination every year out of the last 5 years compared to all of the less frequent categories combined, demonstrating a more complex association between sometimes not being able to afford medical care and influenza vaccination. Future research should examine the relationship between influenza vaccination uptake, racial discrimination, and forgone care due to cost to enhance resources and messaging for influenza vaccination uptake. Full article
17 pages, 505 KiB  
Article
Psychological Antecedents of Healthcare Workers towards Monkeypox Vaccination in Nigeria
by Ramy Mohamed Ghazy, Debra Ukamaka Okeh, Malik Sallam, Mai Hussein, Horeya M. Ismail, Saja Yazbek, Amira Mahboob and Samar Abd ElHafeez
Vaccines 2022, 10(12), 2151; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10122151 - 15 Dec 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2161
Abstract
The ongoing monkeypox (MPX) outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern. People in close contact with active MPX cases, including healthcare workers (HCWs), are at higher risk of virus acquisition since the MPX virus can be transmitted by skin [...] Read more.
The ongoing monkeypox (MPX) outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern. People in close contact with active MPX cases, including healthcare workers (HCWs), are at higher risk of virus acquisition since the MPX virus can be transmitted by skin contact or respiratory secretions. In this study, we aimed to assess the psychological antecedents of MPX vaccination among Nigerian HCWs using the 5C scale. We used an anonymous online cross-sectional survey to recruit potential participants using snowball sampling. The questionnaire aimed to assess the geo/socioeconomic features and the 5C psychological antecedents of vaccine acceptance (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility). A total of 389 responses were included, with a median age of 37 years (IQR: 28–48), 55.5% males, and 60.7% married participants. Among the studied Nigerian HCWs, only 31.1% showed confidence in MPX vaccination, 58.4% expressed complacency towards vaccination, 63.8% perceived constraints towards MPX vaccination, 27.2% calculated the benefits and risks of vaccination, and 39.2% agreed to receive MPX vaccination to protect others. The determinants of MPX vaccine confidence were being single (OR = 5.07, 95% CI: 1.26–20.34, p = 0.022), a higher education level (with pre-college/high school as a reference, professional/technical: OR = 4.12, 95% CI: 1.57–10.73, p = 0.004, undergraduate: OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.32–6.55, p = 0.008, and postgraduate degree (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.51–8.04, p = 0.003), and absence of chronic disease (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.27–5.22, p = 0.009). The significant complacency predictors were having a middle-income (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.33–0.89, p = 0.008), having a bachelor’s degree (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.10–5.11, p = 0.027), and knowledge of someone who died due to MPX (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05–0.93, p = 0.040). Income was associated with perceived vaccination constraints (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39–0.99, p = 0.046). Participants aged 46–60 years had decreased odds in the calculation domain (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.27–0.98, p = 0.044). Middle-income and bachelor degree/postgraduate education significantly influenced the collective responsibility domain (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.19–3.69, p = 0.010; OR = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.85–9.38, p < 0.001; and OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.50–7.90, p = 0.003, respectively). An investigation of the 5C pattern-based psychological antecedents of MPX vaccination in a sample of Nigerian HCWs revealed low levels of vaccine confidence and collective responsibility with high levels of constraints and complacency. These psychological factors are recommended to be considered in any efforts aiming to promote MPX vaccination needed in a country where MPX is endemic. Full article
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13 pages, 737 KiB  
Article
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Parents of Children with Chronic Liver Diseases
by Sally Waheed Elkhadry, Tahany Abd El Hameed Salem, Abdelhamid Elshabrawy, Shymaa Sami Goda, Howyda Ali Al Bahwashy, Naglaa Youssef, Mai Hussein and Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
Vaccines 2022, 10(12), 2094; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10122094 - 07 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2056
Abstract
Children with chronic medical conditions are more susceptible to developing a serious negative outcome from corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than healthy children. This study investigated the extent of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) and its predictors in parents of children with chronic liver [...] Read more.
Children with chronic medical conditions are more susceptible to developing a serious negative outcome from corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than healthy children. This study investigated the extent of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) and its predictors in parents of children with chronic liver disease (CLD) in Egypt. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Liver Institute from September to October 2022, using a random sampling method. Data were collected using the validated Arabic version of parents’ attitudes about childhood vaccines (PACV) scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and discriminant analysis were used to identify direct and indirect determinants of VH. Results: Of the 173 participating parents, 81.5% hesitated to vaccinate their child. Relevant characteristics for hesitancy included being the mother of the child (88.2%), younger than 40 years (92.9%), illiterate (92%), unemployed (88.8%), without health insurance (87.8%), unvaccinated against COVID-19 (97.2%), refused to complete vaccinations (85.7%), and not having chronic disease (85.7%) (p < 0.05). Previous COVID-19 infection of children motivated vaccination (p < 0.0001). Median total PACV, attitude, and trust scores were significantly higher in the hesitant group than the vaccinated group (p = 0.023). SEM suggests that child age and family size have a direct effect, while education level, and income have indirect effects on parents’ hesitancy. The model showed acceptable goodness of fit (GFI = 0.994, CFI = 1, RMSEA < 0.0001). A 92.9% corrected classification of the discriminator VH variables was determined using the discriminant analysis model (safety and efficacy, attitude and trust, child age, and family size). Conclusions: Many socioeconomic factors significantly affect parents’ attitudes toward their child’s vaccination. Thus, increasing parents’ awareness of the importance of childhood vaccination, especially among this risky group, may enhance their decision-making ability regarding vaccinating their children. Full article
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