COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates and predictors among the Egyptian general population and Healthcare workers, the intersectionality of age and other factors

Abstract

The promise of COVID-19 vaccines in ending the pandemic can only be achieved by overcoming the challenge of vaccine refusal. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are the trusted advisors of vaccination decisions. Recommendations for vaccinating children against COVID-19 are recently gaining more public health attention due to the role of children in disease transmission and associated morbidities. Vaccination is one of the first medical decisions parents or guardians make on behalf of their children. To investigate the determinants associated with vaccine acceptability among the general population through a direct interview questionnaire and assess guardians’ views towards childhood COVID-19 vaccinations. This cross-sectional study included 2919 participants A pre-designed structured questionnaire about COVID-19 vaccination acceptability was completed by trained interviewers and interviewing the participants or their guardians (for those below 18 years old). Nearly two-thirds of participants (66.5%) accepted vaccination, 20.2% were refusing and 13.3% were hesitant. Most participants who were guardians of children below 12 years and from 13 to 17 years reported that they would accept vaccination of their children (72.5% and 70.5%, respectively). The acceptance rate among HCWs was 58.2%. The main reasons beyond vaccine refusal were mistrust of vaccine efficacy (39.5%) and having concerns regarding vaccine safety (38.8%). In a multivariable regression model, being male (OR 1.362, 95% CI 1.082–1.714, p = 0.008) resident in rural area (OR 1.796, 95% CI 1.435–2.247, p = 0.000), and lower education (OR 1.245, 95% CI 1.018–1.523, p = 0.033) were associated with an increased acceptance to be vaccinated. The acceptance rate for vaccinating children reported among their guardians was higher than adults for themselves. Extremes of age showed higher vaccine acceptance compared to young adults. Upper Egypt governorates (Faiyum and Giza) were outpacing Lower Egypt governorates in vaccination acceptance rates.

Side effects of Sputnik V, Oxford–AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, and Covaxin and their associations with other variables among healthcare workers of a tertiary hospital in Iran

“…Since the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination program, public concerns about vaccines' effectiveness and side effects (SEs) have been raised [6] , which has affected vaccines' acceptance rates [7] , [8] . Several other determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance have also been addressed [7] , [9] .…”

Determinants of vaccine acceptance, knowledge, attitude, and prevention practices against COVID‐19 among governmental healthcare workers in Addis Ababa and Adama, Ethiopia: A cross‐sectional study

“…This could be due to the difference in the availability and promotion of COVID educational information or cultural factors. Further, the study's COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance was low compared to other recent studies 33–37 . A difference in the study period could be the reason for the discrepancy.…”

“…Further, the study's COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was low compared to other recent studies. [33][34][35][36][37] A difference in the study period could be the reason for the discrepancy. Also, misinterpretations of information from the prior COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers may be discouraged from taking the COVID-19 vaccination.…”

Attitude toward vaccination against COVID-19 and acceptance of the national “QazVac” vaccine in the Aktobe city population, West Kazakhstan: A cross-sectional survey

“…El-Ghitany et al have reported that the most common reasons for refusing the vaccine are concerns about its efficacy (39.5%) and possible side effects (38.8%) [ 29 ]. The top three concerns among the unvaccinated Black Americans were: (1) the vaccine is too new (92%), (2) safety issues (85%), and (3) preference for natural immunity over vaccine-induced immunity (85%) [ 30 ].…”