Background: There are several COVID-19 vaccines available and many are under different stages of development. However, vaccine hesitancy, including vaccination delays and refusals, represents a major hurdle for achieving herd immunity. The current study aims to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the associated factors. Method: This is a cross-sectional survey-based study that was conducted between Aug and Nov 2020. Results: There were 417 respondents with nearly 61% females, more than 65% fall between the ages of 18 and 29 years, three-quarters holding a university degree, with more than 63% identified as single, and those who have no children represented more than 67% of the respondents. More than 36% of the respondents considered themselves COVID-19 vaccine hesitant. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy appeared to be high among female respondents (p = .02), aged 30 years old and above (p < .001), widowed or divorced (p < .001) and those who have a child (p < .001). One of the most vaccine hesitancy influencing factors is the vaccines' country of origin. Conclusion: There appears to be a high COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the participants with several associated factors. The current finding provides a knowledge base for policymakers for communication improvement and confidence-building in relation to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination.

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The article describes the development of technology and the experience of implementation of simulation training of emergency medical care in acute stroke. The positive effect of simulation training in acute care of cerebrovascular accidents was proven by a significant increase in the availability of modern revascularization techniques, improvement of patient management in the clinical practice of trainees, saving time for logistics and decision-making, strengthening of the teamwork, and confident knowledge of treatment algorithms. The widespread use of educational technology of simulation training may be recommended in order to quickly provide the medical personnel with key clinical competencies, implement teamwork based on professional training and efficiency and build team interaction; establish a unified approach throughout the region (megapolis) to the use of standards and algorithms of emergency stroke care.

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