The SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Hesitancy Among the General Population: A Large Cross-Sectional Study From Kuwait

Abstract

Although the approved COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be safe and effective, multiple beliefs and misconceptions still exist influencing the vaccine uptake rates around the world. The multifaceted complex phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy could jeopardize the efforts to overcome this pandemic. The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence and examine the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in Kuwait. This is a web-based cross-sectional study conducted in Kuwait from March 2021 until April 2021, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our questionnaire examined basic demographic information, attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccines as well as reasons for and against accepting the vaccine. Out of the 2345 responders, the majority are fully convinced to take the vaccine (83%) and the rate of vaccine hesitancy is 17%. Vaccine hesitancy is higher among non-healthcare workers, those previously positive for the COVID-19 virus, and those against vaccines in general. Vaccine hesitancy could jeopardize the efforts to overcome this pandemic; therefore, intensifying nationwide education and dismissal of falsified information is an essential step towards addressing vaccine hesitancy.

“Would You Get Vaccinated against COVID-19?” The Picture Emerging from a Study on the Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the General Population of the Veneto Region

“…Taking local authority employees for reference, it emerged that supermarket and shopping center employees were less inclined to get vaccinated, and customers of large retailers were more likely to do so. Our results concerning supermarket and shopping center employees are consistent with several studies reporting a lower propensity to be vaccinated among people not working in the healthcare sector [ 30 , 31 ]. This difference is probably, at least partly, attributable to a conviction that the threat posed by the pandemic is overrated and that vaccination is unnecessary [ 32 ].…”

COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in a Cohort Study of Patients With Mental Illness in Residential and Community Care

“…Our results show that with a targeted vaccination program the majority of patients residing in a psychiatric hospital or attended to in community psychiatric services accept and get the vaccine and that they are just as willing and accepting as the general population. However, we recognize that vaccine acceptance or hesitancy may be highly regionally variable ( 35 – 37 ). In Belgium, vaccine willingness and acceptance are generally high, especially in the Flanders region, attested by the high vaccine uptake in the general population.…”

Public acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines and its predictors in Middle ‎Eastern/North African (MENA) countries: a systematic review‎

“…The intention of accepting the vaccine was not associated with previous exposure to the influenza vaccine. 9 Burhamah, W 35 , 36 Kuwait 2345 29 41% Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart attack, Asthma,Hypothyroidism, Depression, Cancer, Inflammatory bowel disease N/A High school: 481 (20%), College diploma: 323 (14%), Bachelor’s degree: 1,290 (55%), Master’s degree/PhD: 251 (11%) 83% Most people were not opposed to the vaccine and agreed to Use it Waiting for the vaccine to work for others, lack of complete protection against the virus, This is a conspiracy, The vaccine is harmful and unsafe, The vaccine gives the person the virus. The pandemic ends faster, and life returns to normal; pprotectionagainst the virus, wanted to be able to travel in the future.…”

“… Participants were satisfied in terms of acceptance of the vaccine, there are some concerns about it due to insufficient clinical trials and fear of its side effects. 13 Rana Abu-Farha 30 , 36 Jordan-Iraq-Saudi Arabia-Lebanon 2,925 27 ± 16.0 37.6% 13.5% Chronic disease 38.7% School level or below 7.2%, Diploma 11.9%, bachelor or graduated degree 80.9%, biomedical degree 45.8% Monthly income < $500 (49.7%), $501 - $1,000 (26.4%), >$1,000 (21%) 25% 32.6% hesitate and 42.5% denied the willingness to take vaccine. Being female, previous infection of COVID-19 Predictors: Living in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, being unmarried, having a monthly income more than $1,000, having a medical degree, having high fear from COVID-19 and feeling of being at risk of being infected, and the previous injection of Influenza vaccine.…”

“… Being female and being married were significantly associated with lower odds of agreeing with vaccination. N/A N/A 16 Sabria Al-Marshoudi 36 , 41 Oman 3000 38.2 ± 10.45 76% 16.3% Chronic disease 16.3% N/A Illiterate 8%, pre-secondary school 54.64%, post-secondary and higher 37.32%. Employed 71.39% 56.8% 59.3% had a concern about the vaccine, 34% had concerns because of doubts about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, and 56.8% would advise others to take the vaccine.…”