Effect of a Concise Educational Program on COVID-19 Vaccination Attitudes

Abstract

Background: Vaccination has been recognized as a vital step for containing the COVID-19 outbreak. To ensure the success of immunization efforts as a public health containment measure, a high level of public vaccination compliance is essential. Targeted educational programs can be utilized to improve attitudes toward vaccination and improve the public's uptake of protective measures.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of a concise educational program on perceived knowledge regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine importance and trust, protection and fear from COVID-19, trust in authorities, as well as individual resilience.Results: The study evaluated 503 participants that completed the questionnaire before and after viewing a concise video tutorial on vaccination. Following the educational program, scores of five variables increased significantly compared to their pre-viewing level: knowledge, personal resilience, trust in authorities, vaccine importance, as well as perceived protection. Those that were vaccinated and/or intend to be vaccinated (N = 394) report higher levels of knowledge, trust in authorities, vaccine importance, vaccine trust, and fear of being infected as compared to those that are unwilling to get vaccinated. Positive significant correlations were found between resilience and trust in authorities (r = 0.169, p < 0.001), vaccine importance (r = 0.098, p = 0.028), and feeling protected (r = 0.310, p < 0.001). Trust in authorities was positively correlated with vaccine importance (r = 0.589, p < 0.001) and vaccine trust (r = 0.177, p < 0.001). Vaccine importance was positively correlated with vaccine trust (r = 0.149, p = 0.001), but not correlated with knowledge score.Conclusion: The findings of the study demonstrate the benefits of educational programs on improving attitudes toward vaccination acceptability. Incorporation of such concise educational programs by authorities may improve uptake of COVID-19 vaccination and help overcome public vaccine hesitancy. We recommend that such a concise and easily implementable educational program be incorporated as a response component to the current and future outbreaks.

BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination uptake, safety, effectiveness and waning in children and young people aged 12–17 years in Scotland

“… 80 , 81 Vaccines could help this goal to an extent, and several studies demonstrated the effective use of health education campaigns to design and implement policies to overcome vaccine hesitancy among the parents and adolescents. 2 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 However, this study neither investigated if they had an impact on school attendance, nor whether the level of ‘symptomatic’ illness would have led to absence through symptom severity alone. In the current era of testing and isolation guidance, it is possible that many of the cases wouldn't be detected and that children would continue to attend school.…”

Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccine Among Hospital Employees in the Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics in the University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland

“…Previous reports have also shown that the trust in COVID-19 vaccine increases with the level of education, and a better understanding of the vaccine properties (12)(13)(14)(15). In particular, communication/video tutorials on vaccine properties and herd immunity may reduce vaccine hesitancy (13,14). It is also expected that doctors may be better able to differentiate between information and misinformation due to their medical training.…”

“…Among hospital employees, vaccine acceptance was higher among doctors compared to nurses, and also among those having worked for a longer time in the hospital. Previous reports have also shown that the trust in COVID-19 vaccine increases with the level of education, and a better understanding of the vaccine properties (12)(13)(14)(15). In particular, communication/video tutorials on vaccine properties and herd immunity may reduce vaccine hesitancy (13,14).…”

“Intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers: a comparison between two surveys”

“…In addition, other researchers, based on the results of their systematic review and meta-analysis on the intention to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in HCWs, have emphasized the need for education efforts urgently to improve knowledge, attitude and practice to promote vaccination [27]. Previous studies have also confirmed the effectiveness of educational interventions on vaccine hesitancy [28] and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination acceptability [29].…”