Vaccines

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

12 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of COVID Vaccination Willingness among Health and Non-Health Studies Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Mario Marendić, Diana Aranza, Ivan Aranza, Dario Vrdoljak, Mario Podrug and Mirjana Milić

Vaccines 2023, 11(5), 981; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11050981 - 15 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1191

Abstract

Students, as a relatively health-informed population group, may still have limitations in health literacy, which is a concern as students take increasing responsibility for their health and make independent health decisions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall attitudes towards [...] Read more.

Students, as a relatively health-informed population group, may still have limitations in health literacy, which is a concern as students take increasing responsibility for their health and make independent health decisions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall attitudes towards COVID vaccination among university students and to investigate various factors contributing to vaccination willingness among health and non-health studies students. A total of 752 students from the University of Split were included in this cross-sectional study and completed a questionnaire that consisted of three sections: socio-demographic data, health status information, and information on vaccination against COVID-19. Results show that the majority of students of health and natural sciences were willing to be vaccinated, but the majority of students of social sciences were not (p < 0.001). Students who used credible sources of information had a more significant proportion of those willing to be vaccinated and the majority of students who used less credible sources (79%) or did not think about it (68.8%) were unwilling to be vaccinated (p < 0.001). Multiple binary logistic regression modeling shows that female gender, younger age, studying social sciences, negative opinion about the need to reintroduce lockdown and the effectiveness of epidemiological measures, and usage of less credible sources of information were the most important factors contributing to increased vaccination hesitancy. Therefore, improving health literacy and restoring trust in relevant institutions can be critical in health promotion and COVID-19 prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

13 pages, 555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Health Literacy, Trust, and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: The Case of Hong Kong

by Cindy Yue Tian, Phoenix Kit-Han Mo, Dong Dong, Hong Qiu, Annie Wai-Ling Cheung and Eliza Lai-Yi Wong

Vaccines 2023, 11(3), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11030562 - 01 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1558

Abstract

This study investigates how health literacy (HL) and trust in health information affected COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Chinese Hong Kong adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2022. A total of 401 participants completed the study. Participants completed a newly developed Hong [...] Read more.

This study investigates how health literacy (HL) and trust in health information affected COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Chinese Hong Kong adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2022. A total of 401 participants completed the study. Participants completed a newly developed Hong Kong HL scale and self-reported their trust levels in health information from different resources. The proportions of early uptake of the first dose and booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine were 69.1% and 71.8%, respectively. The risk of delaying the first dose was higher among participants with inadequate functional HL (OR = 0.58, p = 0.015), adequate levels of two subdomains of critical HL (OR = 1.82, p = 0.013; OR = 1.91, p < 0.01), and low-level trust in health information from the government (OR = 0.57, p = 0.019). Respondents with adequate interactive HL (OR = 0.52, p = 0.014) and inadequate level of one subdomain of critical HL (OR =1.71, p = 0.039) were more likely to delay the booster dose. This negative association between critical HL and vaccination was suppressed by trust in health information from the government. This study shows that HL and trust in health information from the government are associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Efforts should be directed at providing tailored communication strategies with regard to people’s HL and increasing public confidence in health authorities to decrease vaccine hesitancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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17 pages, 723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychosocial Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece

by Petros Galanis, Irene Vraka, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Olga Siskou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Eleftheria Zogaki and Daphne Kaitelidou

Vaccines 2023, 11(2), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11020269 - 26 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1285

Abstract

An understanding of the factors associated with the COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnant women is paramount to persuade women to get vaccinated against COVID-19. We estimated the vaccination rate of pregnant women against COVID-19 and evaluated psychosocial factors associated with vaccine uptake among [...] Read more.

An understanding of the factors associated with the COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnant women is paramount to persuade women to get vaccinated against COVID-19. We estimated the vaccination rate of pregnant women against COVID-19 and evaluated psychosocial factors associated with vaccine uptake among them. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample. In particular, we investigated socio-demographic data of pregnant women (e.g., age, marital status, and educational level), COVID-19 related variables (e.g., previous COVID-19 diagnosis and worry about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines), and stress due to COVID-19 (e.g., danger and contamination fears, fears about economic consequences, xenophobia, compulsive checking and reassurance seeking, and traumatic stress symptoms about COVID-19) as possible predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Among pregnant women, 58.6% had received a COVID-19 vaccine. The most important reasons that pregnant women were not vaccinated were doubts about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines (31.4%), fear that COVID-19 vaccines could be harmful to the fetus (29.4%), and fear of adverse side effects of COVID-19 vaccines (29.4%). Increased danger and contamination fears, increased fears about economic consequences, and higher levels of trust in COVID-19 vaccines were related with vaccine uptake. On the other hand, increased compulsive checking and reassurance seeking and increased worry about the adverse side effects of COVID-19 vaccines reduced the likelihood of pregnant women being vaccinated. An understanding of the psychosocial factors associated with increased COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pregnant women could be helpful for policy makers and healthcare professionals in their efforts to persuade women to get vaccinated against COVID-19. There is a need for targeted educational campaigns to increase knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines and reduce vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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13 pages, 964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Petros Galanis, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Panayota Sourtzi, Olga Siskou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Theodoros Katsoulas and Daphne Kaitelidou

Vaccines 2023, 11(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11010062 - 27 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2184

Abstract

Because an annual COVID-19 booster vaccine appears to be required to control the pandemic, identifying the factors that influence individuals’ decision to receive a booster dose is critical. Thus, our goal was to quantify the influence of COVID-19-related burnout on vaccination intention and [...] Read more.

Because an annual COVID-19 booster vaccine appears to be required to control the pandemic, identifying the factors that influence individuals’ decision to receive a booster dose is critical. Thus, our goal was to quantify the influence of COVID-19-related burnout on vaccination intention and to investigate the role of resilience in mediating the link between burnout and intention. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample during October 2022. We used the COVID-19 burnout scale and the Brief Resilience Scale. The study sample included 1256 people who had received their primary COVID-19 vaccination. Among the participants, 34.1% reported being very likely to be vaccinated with a booster dose. COVID-19-related burnout was found to be inversely connected with vaccination intention. Moreover, our results suggested that resilience not only had a positive direct effect on vaccination intention but also mediated the relationship between burnout and vaccination intention. Although our study had limitations, such as a convenience sample and information bias, we demonstrate the critical role of resilience in reducing the impact of COVID-19-related burnout on the vaccination intention. Policymakers should develop and implement initiatives to address the issues of COVID-19-related burnout and enhance booster adoption by strengthening psychosocial resources such as resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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13 pages, 1019 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Support Mediates the Relationship between COVID-19-Related Burnout and Booster Vaccination Willingness among Fully Vaccinated Nurses

by Petros Galanis, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Panayota Sourtzi, Olga Siskou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Theodoros Katsoulas and Daphne Kaitelidou

Vaccines 2023, 11(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11010046 - 25 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1686

Abstract

COVID-19 booster doses for high-risk groups such as nurses are necessary to reduce the impacts of the pandemic and promote public health. We examined the relationship between COVID-19-related burnout and booster vaccination willingness among nurses, and we assessed whether social support can buffer [...] Read more.

COVID-19 booster doses for high-risk groups such as nurses are necessary to reduce the impacts of the pandemic and promote public health. We examined the relationship between COVID-19-related burnout and booster vaccination willingness among nurses, and we assessed whether social support can buffer this relationship. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 963 fully vaccinated nurses working in healthcare settings in Greece. We used the multidimensional scale of perceived social support to measure social support and the COVID-19 burnout scale to measure COVID-19-related burnout. We measured vaccination willingness with a scale from 0 (extremely unlikely to take a booster dose) to 10 (extremely likely). Among nurses, 37.1% reported being very likely to be vaccinated, 34.4% reported being uncertain about their likelihood of vaccination, and 28.6% reported being very unlikely to be vaccinated with a booster dose. We found that COVID-19-related burnout reduced vaccination willingness, while social support functioned as a partial mediator of this relationship. In conclusion, nurses who experienced burnout were less likely to accept a booster dose. Furthermore, increasing nurses’ social support reduced the negative effects of burnout, resulting in improved booster vaccination willingness. Immunization awareness programs should be implemented in order to address nurses’ concerns and support booster doses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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12 pages, 742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parent Acceptance toward Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccination in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: The Power of Oncologist and Alliance

by Yifei Ma, Nianqi Liu, Guanqing Zhong, Dao Wang, Lu Cao, Shenrui Bai, Pengfei Zhu, Ao Zhang and Xinjia Wang

Vaccines 2022, 10(12), 2016; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10122016 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1203

Abstract

Objectives: The current study aims to survey the willingness of parents to vaccinate their children, who are childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors (CALLS), and identify factors associated with vaccine acceptance. Methods: Parents of CALLS on/off treatment, with the general condition of being amendable [...] Read more.

Objectives: The current study aims to survey the willingness of parents to vaccinate their children, who are childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors (CALLS), and identify factors associated with vaccine acceptance. Methods: Parents of CALLS on/off treatment, with the general condition of being amendable to vaccination, were recruited for interviews with attending oncologists about COVID-19 vaccination acceptance from July to November 2021 in China. After controlling for socioeconomic factors, the Association of Oncologists’ recommendations and parent–oncologist alliance with acceptance status were investigated. For validation, propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was used. Results: A total of 424 families were included in the study, with CALLS mean remission age of 5.99 ± 3.40 years. Among them, 91 (21.4%) agreed, 168 (39.6%) hesitated, and 165 (38.9%) parents disagreed with the vaccination. The most common reason that kept parents from vaccinating their children was lack of recommendations from professional personnel (84/165, 50.9%), and massive amounts of internet information (78/175, 44.6%) was the main nonhealthcare resource against vaccination. Logistic regression analysis showed that only the recommendation from the oncologist was associated with parents’ vaccine acceptance (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.93–5.20), as demonstrated by PSM comparison (42 in recommendation group vs. 18 in nonrecommendation group among 114 pairs, p < 0.001). An exploratory analysis revealed that parents with a better patient–oncologist alliance had a significantly higher level of acceptance (65.6% in alliance group vs. 15.6% in nonalliance group among 32 pairs, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Due to a lack of professional recommendation resources and the potential for serious consequences, parents were generally reluctant to vaccinate their CALLS. The recommendation of oncologists, which was influenced by the parent–oncologist alliance, significantly increased acceptance. This study emphasizes the critical role of oncologists in vaccinating cancer survivors and can be used to promote COVID-19 vaccines among vulnerable populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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14 pages, 828 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intent among Parents to Vaccinate Children before Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations, Minnesota and Los Angeles County, California—May–September 2021

by Kara A. Suvada, Stuart F. Quan, Matthew D. Weaver, Meera Sreedhara, Mark É. Czeisler, Kathy Como-Sabetti, Ruth Lynfield, Prabhu Grounder, Elizabeth Traub, Aryana Amoon, Chandresh N. Ladva, Mark E. Howard, Charles A. Czeisler, Shantha M. W. Rajaratnam, Donatus U. Ekwueme, Brendan Flannery and Rashon I. Lane

Vaccines 2022, 10(9), 1441; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10091441 - 01 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1978

Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed the associations between parent intent to have their child receive the COVID-19 vaccination, and demographic factors and various child activities, including attendance at in-person education or childcare. Methods: Persons undergoing COVID-19 testing residing in Minnesota and Los Angeles County, [...] Read more.

Objectives: This study assessed the associations between parent intent to have their child receive the COVID-19 vaccination, and demographic factors and various child activities, including attendance at in-person education or childcare. Methods: Persons undergoing COVID-19 testing residing in Minnesota and Los Angeles County, California with children aged <12 years completed anonymous internet-based surveys between 10 May and 6 September 2021 to assess factors associated with intention to vaccinate their child. Factors influencing the parents’ decision to have their child attend in-person school or childcare were examined. Estimated adjusted odds rations (AORs, 95% CI) were computed between parents’ intentions regarding children’s COVID-19 vaccination and participation in school and extra-curricular activities using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Compared to parents intending to vaccinate their children (n = 4686 [77.2%]), those undecided (n = 874 [14.4%]) or without intention to vaccinate (n = 508 [8.4%]) tended to be younger, non-White, less educated, and themselves not vaccinated against COVID-19. Their children more commonly participated in sports (aOR:1.51 1.17–1.95) and in-person faith or community activities (aOR:4.71 3.62–6.11). A greater proportion of parents without intention to vaccinate (52.5%) indicated that they required no more information to make their decision in comparison to undecided parents (13.2%). They further indicated that additional information regarding vaccine safety and effectiveness would influence their decision. COVID-19 mitigation measures were the most common factors influencing parents’ decision to have their child attend in-person class or childcare. Conclusions: Several demographic and socioeconomic factors are associated with parents’ decision whether to vaccinate their <12-year-old children for COVID-19. Child participation in in-person activities was associated with parents’ intentions not to vaccinate. Tailored communications may be useful to inform parents’ decisions regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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12 pages, 261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout: Aspects of Acceptability in South Africa

by Bent Steenberg, Nellie Myburgh, Andile Sokani, Nonhlanhla Ngwenya, Portia Mutevedzi and Shabir A. Madhi

Vaccines 2022, 10(9), 1379; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10091379 - 24 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3678

Abstract

Unprecedented in scale, immense COVID-19 immunization programs have been rolled out globally. This article explores aspects of hypothetical vaccine acceptability in Soweto, South Africa, shortly before such vaccines became available. Whereas hypothetical acceptance was normative, this has not translated into uptake today, which [...] Read more.

Unprecedented in scale, immense COVID-19 immunization programs have been rolled out globally. This article explores aspects of hypothetical vaccine acceptability in Soweto, South Africa, shortly before such vaccines became available. Whereas hypothetical acceptance was normative, this has not translated into uptake today, which remains concerningly low in South Africa, especially in Soweto. For that reason, we mobilize anthropological concepts to analyze acceptance, hesitancy, and denial to gauge public proclivity to inoculate. We found that COVID-19′s haphazard mediatization generated a ‘field of suspicion’ towards authorities and vaccination, which, amplified by dis- and misinformation, fostered othering, hesitancy, and denialism considerably. Further, we demonstrate that stated intent to immunize cannot be used to predict outcome. It remains paramount during vaccination rollouts to unveil and address aspects detrimental to vaccine confidence and selectivity, especially in lower-income groups for underlying context-specific cultural, spiritual, historical, and socioeconomic reasons. Appropriate mediazation alongside a debunking of counterfactual claims is crucial in driving forward immunization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

15 pages, 644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Parents of Children under Five Years in the United States

by Celia B. Fisher, Elise Bragard, Rimah Jaber and Aaliyah Gray

Vaccines 2022, 10(8), 1313; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081313 - 14 Aug 2022

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3598

Abstract

On 17 June 2022, the U.S. FDA authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines for emergency use (EUA) in children ages 6 months–4 years. Seroprevalence has increased during the current Omicron variant wave for children under 5 years, and the burden of [...] Read more.

On 17 June 2022, the U.S. FDA authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines for emergency use (EUA) in children ages 6 months–4 years. Seroprevalence has increased during the current Omicron variant wave for children under 5 years, and the burden of hospitalization for this age group is similar or exceeds other pediatric vaccine-preventable diseases. Research following the October 2021 EUA for vaccines for children 5–11 indicates a high prevalence of parental vaccine hesitancy and low uptake, underscoring the urgency of understanding attitudes and beliefs driving parental COVID-19 vaccine rejection and acceptance for younger children. One month prior to FDA approval, in the present study 411 U.S. female guardians of children 1–4 years from diverse racial/ethnic, economic, and geographic backgrounds participated in a mixed method online survey assessing determinants of COVID-19 pediatric vaccine hesitancy. Only 31.3% of parents intended to vaccinate their child, 22.6% were unsure, and 46.2% intended not to vaccinate. Logistic regression indicated significant barriers to vaccination uptake including concerns about immediate and long-term vaccination side effects for young children, the rushed nature of FDA approval and distrust in government and pharmaceutical companies, lack of community and family support for pediatric vaccination, conflicting media messaging, and lower socioeconomic status. Vaccine-resistant and unsure parents were also more likely to believe that children were not susceptible to infection and that the vaccine no longer worked against new variants. Findings underscore the need for improved public health messaging and transparency regarding vaccine development and approval, the importance of community outreach, and increased pediatrician attention to parental concerns to better improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake for young children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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13 pages, 1077 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination on Social Media: A Cross-Platform Analysis

by Dominik Wawrzuta, Justyna Klejdysz, Mariusz Jaworski, Joanna Gotlib and Mariusz Panczyk

Vaccines 2022, 10(8), 1190; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081190 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4490

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media content analysis allowed for tracking attitudes toward newly introduced vaccines. However, current evidence is limited to single social media platforms. Our objective was to compare arguments used by anti-vaxxers in the context of COVID-19 vaccines across Facebook, [...] Read more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media content analysis allowed for tracking attitudes toward newly introduced vaccines. However, current evidence is limited to single social media platforms. Our objective was to compare arguments used by anti-vaxxers in the context of COVID-19 vaccines across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. We obtained the data set of 53,671 comments regarding COVID-19 vaccination published between August 2021 and February 2022. After that, we established categories of anti-vaccine content, manually classified comments, and compared the frequency of occurrence of the categories between social media platforms. We found that anti-vaxxers on social media use 14 categories of arguments against COVID-19 vaccines. The frequency of these categories varies across different social media platforms. The anti-vaxxers’ activity on Facebook and Twitter is similar, focusing mainly on distrust of government and allegations regarding vaccination safety and effectiveness. Anti-vaxxers on TikTok mainly focus on personal freedom, while Instagram users encouraging vaccination often face criticism suggesting that vaccination is a private matter that should not be shared. Due to the differences in vaccine sentiment among users of different social media platforms, future research and educational campaigns should consider these distinctions, focusing more on the platforms popular among adolescents (i.e., Instagram and TikTok). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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12 pages, 1266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Knowledge of University Students in Health Care Settings on Vaccines and Vaccinations Strategies: Impact Evaluation of a Specific Educational Training Course during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period in Italy

by Sara Boccalini, Alfredo Vannacci, Giada Crescioli, Niccolò Lombardi, Marco Del Riccio, Giuseppe Albora, Jonida Shtylla, Marco Masoni, Maria Renza Guelfi, Paolo Bonanni and Angela Bechini

Vaccines 2022, 10(7), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10071085 - 06 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1836

Abstract

Background: Training future healthcare professionals on vaccination through specific courses is important to properly promote active immunization among the general population and to fight fake news and false beliefs on vaccinations. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of an [...] Read more.

Background: Training future healthcare professionals on vaccination through specific courses is important to properly promote active immunization among the general population and to fight fake news and false beliefs on vaccinations. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of an elective course about vaccinations on the knowledge of medical students, pharmacy students, and medical resident in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine in Italy. Methods: The participants were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire before and after an elective teaching activity (ETA) on vaccination. The two questionnaires contained the same 30 questions and focused on different aspects of vaccines and vaccination. The students who had attended the seminar were allowed to fulfil the post-lecture questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential analysis were performed on the results; in particular, Student’s t-test for independent samples was used to compare the total score obtained before and after attending the ETA. Results: A total of 449 students participated in the ETA. Overall, the participation in the ETA allowed them to significantly improve their final score (+27.28%, p < 0.001). Good results were obtained even when comparing the three groups (medical students, pharmacy students and medical residents) separately. Females improved more than males, especially among pharmacy students. Discussion: The present study highlights the importance and the impact that extracurricular activities can have in improving knowledge about vaccinations. With vaccination and vaccine hesitancy and acceptance topics with increasing attention paid by the population, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, it is fundamental to develop new strategies to increase future healthcare professionals’ knowledge about vaccinations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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12 pages, 580 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictors of Willingness of the General Public to Receive a Second COVID-19 Booster Dose or a New COVID-19 Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece

by Petros Galanis, Irene Vraka, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Olga Siskou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Theodoros Katsoulas, Theodoros Mariolis-Sapsakos and Daphne Kaitelidou

Vaccines 2022, 10(7), 1061; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10071061 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2158

Abstract

Given the concerns of waning immunity from the primary COVID-19 vaccines and the first booster dose, we conducted an online cross-sectional study in May 2022 to investigate willingness to receive a second COVID-19 booster dose or a new COVID-19 vaccine and its associated [...] Read more.

Given the concerns of waning immunity from the primary COVID-19 vaccines and the first booster dose, we conducted an online cross-sectional study in May 2022 to investigate willingness to receive a second COVID-19 booster dose or a new COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors. Overall, 62% of the participants were willing to be vaccinated, 25.8% were unsure, and 12.3% were unwilling to be vaccinated. The main reasons against accepting a second COVID-19 booster dose/new COVID-19 vaccine were concerns about the side effects and the effectiveness and the opinion that further vaccination is unnecessary. Males, younger individuals, participants without a previous COVID-19 diagnosis, and those with good/very good self-perceived physical health were significantly more frequently willing to receive a second COVID-19 booster dose or a new COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, increased fear of the COVID-19, increased trust in COVID-19 vaccinations, and decreased fear of a second booster dose or a new COVID-19 vaccine was associated with increased willingness. Our results show some hesitancy and unwillingness toward further COVID-19 vaccination and indicate that the fear of COVID-19 and trust in COVID-19 vaccination affects public opinion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

17 pages, 2020 KiB

Open AccessReview

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Petros Galanis, Irene Vraka, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Olga Siskou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Theodoros Katsoulas, Theodoros Mariolis-Sapsakos and Daphne Kaitelidou

Vaccines 2022, 10(10), 1637; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10101637 - 29 Sep 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2470

Abstract

The vaccine-induced immunity of healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among HCWs worldwide and to identify predictors of vaccination. We searched Scopus, Web of Science, [...] Read more.

The vaccine-induced immunity of healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among HCWs worldwide and to identify predictors of vaccination. We searched Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, ProQuest, CINAHL, and medRxiv up to 25 August 2022. We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. We found 25 studies including 491,624 vaccinated HCWs, while the full sample included 555,561 HCWs. The overall proportion of vaccinated HCWs was 77.3%. Vaccine uptake for studies that were conducted in North America (85.6%) was higher than the proportion for studies that were conducted in Asia (79.5%), Europe (72.8%), and Africa (65.6%). The overall prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine uptake was 83.6% and 77.4% for physicians and nurses, respectively. Older age, white race, physicians’ profession, seasonal influenza vaccine, direct COVID-19 patient care, and confidence in COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness were positive predictors of vaccine uptake, while history of SARS-CoV-2 infection was a negative predictor. Deep understanding of the factors that influence HCWs’ decisions to receive a COVID-19 vaccine is critical to implementing tailored communication strategies for HCWs who are at risk for not getting vaccinated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

19 pages, 2538 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Predicting Vaccination Intention against COVID-19 Using Theory of Planned Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Yam B. Limbu, Rajesh K. Gautam and Wencang Zhou

Vaccines 2022, 10(12), 2026; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10122026 - 26 Nov 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2969

Abstract

This study systematically analyzed the literature using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework to examine the influence of its constructs on vaccination intention against COVID-19. Quantitative studies were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar following [...] Read more.

This study systematically analyzed the literature using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework to examine the influence of its constructs on vaccination intention against COVID-19. Quantitative studies were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar following the PRISMA guidelines. The average rate of COVID-19 vaccination intention was 73.19%, ranging from 31% to 88.86%. Attitude had the strongest association with vaccination intention (r₊ = 0.487, 95% CI: 0.368–0.590), followed by subjective norms (r₊ = 0.409, 95% CI: 0.300–0.507), and perceived behavioral control (r₊ = 0.286, 95% CI: 0.198–0.369). Subgroup analyses showed that the pooled effect sizes of TPB constructs on vaccination intention varied across geographic regions and study populations. Attitude had large effect sizes in Asia, Europe, and Oceania, especially among the adult general population, parents, and patients. Subjective norms had large effect sizes in Asia and Oceania, especially among parents and patients. Perceived behavioral control was the most dominant predictor of vaccination acceptance in Africa among patients. These findings suggest that TPB provides a useful framework for predicting intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Hence, public awareness and educational programs aimed at promoting COVID-19 vaccination intention should consider using TPB as a framework to achieve the goal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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20 pages, 1366 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

First COVID-19 Booster Dose in the General Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Willingness and Its Predictors

by Petros Galanis, Irene Vraka, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Olga Siskou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Theodoros Katsoulas, Theodoros Mariolis-Sapsakos and Daphne Kaitelidou

Vaccines 2022, 10(7), 1097; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10071097 - 08 Jul 2022

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 3469

Abstract

The emergence of breakthrough infections and new highly contagious variants of SARS-CoV-2 threaten the immunization in individuals who had completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated, for the first time, acceptance of the first COVID-19 booster dose and its [...] Read more.

The emergence of breakthrough infections and new highly contagious variants of SARS-CoV-2 threaten the immunization in individuals who had completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated, for the first time, acceptance of the first COVID-19 booster dose and its associated factors among fully vaccinated individuals. We followed the PRISMA guidelines. We searched Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, ProQuest, CINAHL and medrxiv from inception to 21 May 2022. We found 14 studies including 104,047 fully vaccinated individuals. The prevalence of individuals who intend to accept a booster was 79.0%, while the prevalence of unsure individuals was 12.6%, and the prevalence of individuals that intend to refuse a booster was 14.3%. The main predictors of willingness were older age, flu vaccination in the previous season, and confidence in COVID-19 vaccination. The most important reasons for decline were adverse reactions and discomfort experienced after previous COVID-19 vaccine doses and concerns for serious adverse reactions to COVID-19 booster doses. Considering the burden of COVID-19, a high acceptance rate of booster doses could be critical in controlling the pandemic. Our findings are innovative and could help policymakers to design and implement specific COVID-19 vaccination programs in order to decrease booster vaccine hesitancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions)

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