Predictors of the Third (Booster) Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Intention among the Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is still continuing throughout the world, with newer genetic variants regularly appearing from different parts of the world. Considering the waning of immunity against COVID-19 infection even with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, regulatory authorities have authorised booster COVID-19 vaccination in many countries, especially for vulnerable populations, including healthcare workers. The current study analysed factors predicting the third (booster) dose of COVID-19 vaccine intention, including the health belief model (HBM), among the healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional online survey performed from 1st October 2021 to 30th November 2021, using a questionnaire prepared in GoogleTM form among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire asked demographic factors, COVID-19 experience of participants, subjective assessment of health, intention of COVID-19 booster dose vaccination, preferences for local/foreign-made vaccines, and health belief of the study population related to COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 booster dose. Results: This study received 2059 complete responses. The study population reported mixed health belief with respect to the susceptibility of COVID-19 infection, and higher health belief perception regarding the severity. The perceptions of the study participants regarding the benefits of COVID-19 booster dose were positive. There were few barriers to COVID-19 booster dose expressed by study participants. A total of 1464 (71.1%) study participants reported positive intent for receiving a COVID-19 booster dose. The study showed significant association between definite intention to receive a booster dose and nationality (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.017), gender (p < 0.001), education level (p = 0.001), monthly income (p < 0.001), and co-morbid medical illness (p = 0.045). The perception of the COVID-19 booster vaccine as a good idea to minimise worries about getting COVID-19 (OR = 2.28, CI 1.89–2.76), and perceptions that receiving the third (booster) dose reduces the risk of COVID-19 infection and associated complications (OR= 2.69, CI = 2.17–3.34), of the perceived benefit construct of HBM, predicted significantly higher definite intention to receive a booster dose. The concern with the safety of the vaccine (OR= 0.40, CI 0.34–0.47) under the perceived barriers construct of HBM predicted as significantly higher no definite intention to receive a booster dose. Conclusions: The results of the present study can guide policy makers in their efforts to promote booster doses of COVID-19 vaccination among the healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Acceptance: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The acceptance of booster COVID-19 vaccination in the Eastern Mediterranean region was 59% (95% CI: 46–71%, I 2 = 99%), ranging from 71% (95% CI: 69–73%) [ 81 ] to 43% (95% CI: 40–46%) [ 62 ] ( Figure 10 ).…”

“…Thirty-six of the 50 extracted studies discussed different predictors for COVID-19 vaccine booster dose acceptance. Age above 45 and the male gender were strong predictors detected in [ 41 , 54 , 60 , 61 , 69 , 74 , 78 , 81 ]. Educational level was a strong predictor as well, according to several included studies [ 28 , 37 , 45 , 52 , 61 , 65 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 72 , 76 ].…”

“…Being a HCW was another predictor in 2 studies [ 48 , 74 ], while a previous COVID-19 infection in the family was a predictor in 5 studies [ 28 , 49 , 60 , 61 , 63 ]. Employment status and personal/household income were predictors among several studies [ 47 , 51 , 56 , 61 , 72 , 76 , 81 ]. Having a history of chronic disease has been reported to be a predictor of booster dose acceptance in several studies [ 28 , 37 , 39 , 49 , 51 , 69 , 79 ], while other studies reported trust in the effectiveness of the vaccine and the fear of an unknown adverse effect as significant determinants of booster dose acceptance [ 35 , 37 , 42 , 51 , 66 , 67 , 70 , 75 , 77 , 78 , 79 ].…”

“…In the previous study conducted in Poland, the authors speculated that the observed high acceptance rate of booster doses among HCWs may be due to the high level of health literacy [ 108 ]. Likewise, approximately 71.1% of Saudi HCWs indicated a willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster dose [ 81 ]. Thus, more studies are needed to confirm the finding of lower acceptance of booster dose vaccination among HCWs as observed in the current review.…”

“…In the context of the included studies, having a chronic illness increased the odds ratio of booster dose vaccine acceptance by 1.4 in the Algerian population [ 54 ]. Likewise, HCWs with chronic diseases opted more for booster doses of vaccination [ 81 ]. This may be related to higher levels of perceived severity and perceived benefit of vaccination compared with the normal population.…”