COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations

Abstract

Vaccines are important to improve immunity against pathogens and diseases. The current COVID-19 disease is rapidly evolving and spreading among people; therefore, it is important to utilize a proper vaccination strategy against it. Currently, many approved vaccines are available and accessible; however, there is a reported hesitancy against taking them among the public and even the health care workers. Mainly, this is attributed to the fear of the possible side effects and complications. Moreover, inaccurate knowledge disseminated through the media/social media especially by those who lack proper expertise adds confusion and more fear that affects the vaccination decision. For such reasons, it is essential to find strategies to increase the acceptability of vaccines and to enhance confidence in the vaccination process. This should be accompanied by sufficient efforts and proper clinical studies to confirm the value and the safety of the vaccines. Those strategies are important to avoid the further spread of the COVID-19 disease and to abort the pandemic worldwide, especially when considering the likely approach towards a COVID-19 booster vaccination program, in which booster vaccines are re-taken along intervals to adequately contain the rapidly evolving nature of the virus. This review article highlights the factors influencing the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccination and enrollment in clinical trials among the public and some specific populations. Furthermore, it summarizes the suggested strategies and recommendations that can improve the attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination programs.

Intentions to receive COVID-19 vaccination among people in Gaza Strip

“…African Americans have medical distrust caused by racial discrimination and had a low probability of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine [21,22]. According to various reports, approximately 40% of the general population had negative views about COVID-19 vaccine [19,23,24]. Lin et al argued that one of the underlying factors that can explain this attitude is the perception that vaccines are unsafe [10].…”

Attitude of parents toward vaccination against COVID-19 for own children in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

“…The emergence and dissemination of a relatively secure vaccine against COVID-19s has been a major development in the COVID-19 epidemic fight. However, there is indeed a heated debate over whether the vaccine against COVID-19 should be administered to children and young adults [ [1] , [2] , [3] ]. The knowledge, wellness, and very well being of society are all at stake [ 3 ].…”

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Hesitancy among the Elderly in Malaysian Residential Care Homes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Klang Valley

“…This study has examined the factors that influence hesitancy toward the second booster of the COVID-19 vaccine among elderly people from residential care homes. Some recent reviews have highlighted factors frequently reported as influencing vaccine booster uptake [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Factors investigated include demographics of which age has been found to be more relevant in the context of vaccine booster hesitancy.…”