Vaccine Hesitancy in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

(1) Background: vaccine hesitancy can put the public’s health at risk from vaccine-preventable diseases. This study aimed to address vaccine hesitancy in Saudi Arabia and understand the problem’s magnitude and causes. (2) Methods: this was a descriptive observational study using quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods conducted in Saudi Arabia between December 2020 and February 2021. Public survey forms, exit interviews, and healthcare professional survey forms were used. (3) Results: our study involved 2030 public survey participants, 119 exit interviews of caregivers, and 500 healthcare professionals, demonstrating that vaccine hesitancy was relatively low. Ninety percent of the participants agreed that it was essential for everyone to receive the recommended vaccines with their children (p < 0.001), 92% believed that vaccines are safe for their children (p < 0.001), 91% of the participants agreed to give their new children all the recommended doses (p < 0.001), 86% welcomed mass/school vaccination campaigns (p < 0.001), and 81% were willing to pay for additional vaccines for themselves and their children (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: vaccine hesitancy is low in Saudi Arabia, and a positive attitude toward vaccination was detected among most of the participants. Vaccination decision-making is complex and includes emotional, cultural, social, spiritual, and political aspects.

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Hesitancy among Pregnant and Lactating Women in Saudi Arabia

“…However, vaccination among pregnant women is inadequate [ 6 ]. Substantial hesitancy has been reported among the general population worldwide and in Saudi Arabia [ 7 , 8 ]. The WHO definition of “vaccine hesitancy” considers hesitancy if the time of vaccination has been delayed, or not vaccinated [ 9 ].…”

Community Perception and Attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccination for Children in Saudi Arabia

“…A higher percentage of children’s vaccination supporters (89%) stated that they would get the third dose, while a higher percentage of non-children’s vaccination supporters (38.1%) stated that they would not get the third dose. In another recent study from the Kingdom, ninety percent of the participants agreed that it was essential for everyone to receive the recommended vaccines with their children, 92% believed that vaccines are safe for their children, 91% of the participants agreed to give their new children all the recommended doses, 86% welcomed mass/school vaccination campaigns, and 81% were willing to pay for additional vaccines for themselves and their children [ 13 ].…”

“…According to a 2019 report from the WHO, one of the 10 threats to global health is vaccine hesitancy, which is defined as the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines [ 11 , 12 ]. There was a positive attitude towards vaccination among the majority of the participants from the Saudi Arabian population, who were willing to contemplate taking the vaccines and have them administered to their children, as recommended by healthcare centers [ 13 ]. However, there is a reluctance noticed towards children having the COVID-19 vaccination, worldwide.…”

Identifying gaps in vaccination perception after mandating the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia

“…The implementation of the Saudi Arabian Vision 2030 strategic program is expected to improve vaccination uptake, which is vital for infection prevention. A recent national cross-sectional study by Alaamari et al showed that vaccine hesitancy is relatively low, in which 92% of participants believed that vaccines are safe [36] . However, 25% of the participants were healthcare providers and almost half of the participants held a university or postgraduate degree.…”