Attitudes and Intentions toward COVID-19 Vaccination among Spanish Adults: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is postulated as the most effective measure to control the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the use of other protection measures is necessary to efficiently combat the spread of the virus. The aim of the present study was to determine the attitudes and intentions toward COVID-19 vaccination among non-regular social media users in Spain and to analyze how these factors could condition the acceptance of other personal protective measures once an individual has received the COVID-19 vaccine. A cross-sectional design was used in this work. In total, 719 subjects, ≥18 years old and of both sexes, were recruited from primary public healthcare centers to self-complete a questionnaire between March and April 2021. The majority of participants had a positive attitude toward vaccination and showed high levels of intention to be vaccinated. Likewise, except those participants who considered the vaccine to be the most effective measure to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the rest of the participants highlighted the importance of continuing to limit social interactions and/or wearing masks even after being vaccinated. Since vaccination can create a perception of total immunity against SARS-CoV-2, it is necessary that healthcare staff organize effective awareness campaigns on the importance of maintaining personal protective measures until vaccination coverage is greater.

Association Between Pandemic Fatigue and Disease Knowledge, Attitudes, Concerns, and Vaccination Intention at Two Key Moments of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…However, the COVID-19 vaccination intention between these two rounds increased by 43% in 1 year [ 17 ]. At the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 vaccines generated much controversy due to their rapid development process, fears of health problems or lasting side effects, anti-vaccine beliefs, and the need for more information on the factors associated with not vaccinating [ 19 , 20 ]. The high levels of acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among the population in Spain have had a great epidemiological impact on the decrease in hospitalisation and mortality rates [ 6 , 21 ].…”

“…This may be due to the willingness of both groups to see the end of the pandemic. The vaccination campaign in Spain managed to gain the trust of the population, contrary to what happened in other European countries where there is evidence of an increase in the refusal of vaccination in the same period [ 19 ]. The increase in the intention to be vaccinated may have been reinforced, among other factors, by the implementation of the vaccination card imposed in Spain in 2021 that gave access to social, cultural, and sportive events, as well as gymnasiums, hotels, and restaurants.…”

COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among community members and health workers in Ebonyi state, Nigeria: study protocol for a concurrent-independent mixed method analyses of intention to receive, timeliness of the intention to receive, uptake and hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination and the determinants

“…Few studies were done at the early stage of the introduction and deployment of COVID-19 vaccination. 71 72 However, these studies were done when COVID-19 vaccination had not been introduced for public use or was just being introduced. Thus, the perceptions of vaccination-related attributes such as importance, safety or side-effects and effectiveness were perhaps largely distal.…”

“…COVID-19 vaccination intentions among populations were assessed at the early phase of the pandemic by studies across the world12–14 34–63 and in Nigeria (mostly based on social media platforms and among health workers)64–70 during the development/clinical trial stage of COVID-19 vaccines. Few studies were done at the early stage of the introduction and deployment of COVID-19 vaccination 71 72. However, these studies were done when COVID-19 vaccination had not been introduced for public use or was just being introduced.…”

How Does the Public Receive Information about Vaccines during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Spain

“…However, no studies were found that have investigated this key perspective. For instance, Mosteiro-Miguéns et al [31] used a survey to examine the intentions of Spanish citizens regarding COVID-19 vaccines but the respondents were not regular social media users. Despite the relevance of their study, its focus was limited to health professionals in Spain and on being a nationwide survey.…”