Factors and reasons associated with low COVID-19 vaccine uptake among highly hesitant communities in the US

Abstract

Introduction : The inability to achieve high COVID-19 vaccination rates can continue to have serious harm to our communities. Vaccine hesitancy is a major barrier towards high vaccination rates. We evaluated the relationship between COVID-19 vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy, and then examined whether community factors were associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy. Methods : We constructed and evaluated a cross-sectional, county-level dataset that included the levels of vaccination uptake and vaccine hesitancy, and population characteristics based on those included in the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index. Results : Across 3142 US counties, vaccine hesitancy was significantly and negatively correlated with vaccine uptake rates(r=-0.06, p-value<0.01). The two predictors associated with a low vaccination level within highly hesitant communities were: no high school education(OR:0.70, p-value<0.001), and concern on vaccine availability and distribution (CVAC) (OR:0.00, p-value<0.001). The most common reason driving vaccine hesitancy was lack of trust in COVID-19 vaccines(55%), followed by concerns around side effects of the vaccine(48%), and lack of trust in government(46%). Conclusion : COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is a public health threat. Our findings suggests that low education levels are a major contributor to vaccine hesitancy and ultimately vaccination levels. Since education levels are not easily modifiable, our results suggest that policymakers would be best served by closing knowledge gaps to overcome negative perceptions of the vaccine through tailored interventions.

Does Hospitalization Change the Perception of COVID-19 Vaccines among Unvaccinated Patients?

“…No universal profile of unvaccinated individuals was found, while various reasons behind the vaccine refusal were reported. Unsurprisingly, the concerns over adverse effects were the most frequent motive behind vaccine refusal (44%)—this finding is in line with many other investigations conducted in various populations [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Such a reason can be considered rationale as patients are entitled to have their fears over the vaccine, particularly in populations in which vaccinations of adults are rare.…”

Determinants of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy spectrum

“…Educational attainment may also be inversely associated with hesitancy due to different levels of understanding of both the threat and vaccine [ 21 , 22 ]. Lower educational attainment has been found to be an enduring social vulnerability for vaccine hesitancy in the United States [ 23 ].…”

Prevalence of COVID-19 Infection among Patients with Diabetes and Their Vaccination Coverage Status in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from a Hospital-Based Diabetes Registry

“…Vaccine hesitancy, or the belief in conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 and misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines on social media have been important factors that impede COVID-19 preventive efforts, including timely vaccination coverage [64,65]. Other reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy include individuals' concerns about the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines, lack of trust in COVID-19 vaccines, planning to wait and see if the vaccines are safe, believing that COVID-19 is not a serious disease, believing that there is no need for the vaccines or being not sure about their effectiveness [66,67]. Therefore, it is important for governments to work on educating the population against these conspiracy theories, as such theories could jeopardize the strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and prevent timely and wide vaccination coverage of the populations [64,68,69].…”