Willingness, beliefs, and barriers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia: a multiregional cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide, and the vaccine remains the ultimate cornerstone to overcoming its long-term impact. Vaccine hesitancy might obstruct the effort to achieve herd immunity and eradicate the virus. We assessed Saudi Arabian individuals’ willingness, beliefs, and barriers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and their adherence to preventive measures during and after the pandemic. Methods A self-administered electronic validated questionnaire was distributed among the five major regions in Saudi Arabia between November and December 2020. The questionnaire addressed the sociodemographic data, beliefs, potential barriers, parents’ acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination for their children, and adherence to protective measures during and after the pandemic. Results Of 8,056 participants, 4,218 (52.4%) of a non-representative sample were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Being a young adult, male, having less than a high school degree, being a smoker, having a chronic disease, and having a history of seasonal influenza vaccine uptake were positive predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Hesitant participants reported concerns about vaccine side effects and safety as the main barriers to accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. Some refusers (26.1%) declared that they would reconsider vaccination only if the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine were reported by more studies. Conclusions Our study revealed a promising willingness to accept the vaccine among the population, with positive beliefs and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. However, a considerable proportion of the population was reluctant to accept the vaccine. Thus, publicly providing information about vaccine safety and implementing health education programs is crucial for increasing the public’s confidence in the vaccine.

Assessment of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Reluctance Among Staff Working in Public Healthcare Settings of Saudi Arabia: A Multicenter Study

“…A high mean score >3 was observed for the statement regarding worry about adverse effects of vaccine. This apprehension was also reported by participants in previous studies ( 21 , 23 ). Moreover, another statement with a high mean score for reluctance >3 was about the failure to detect dangerous adverse effects due to the rushed pace of vaccine development.…”

“…Several studies conducted among the general population of Saudi Arabia reported an increased readiness to vaccinate, and most participants held positive perceptions about the vaccines. However, a sizeable portion of the population also showed their reluctance with concerns regarding safety ( 21 ). Another study conducted among a small sample of healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia highlighted that 50% were willing to receive a vaccine, out of which roughly 49% seemed willing to receive it immediately upon availability ( 22 ).…”

Sociodemographic Predictors Associated with the Willingness to Get Vaccinated against COVID-19 in Peru: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…It was found that the main reason for this discrepancy in Ethiopia was because of the potential side effects of the vaccine [83]. This was also observed in a study performed in Saudi Arabia where the vaccine refusers indicated that their safety concerns would only be dissipated with more reported clinical studies [84]. These concerns have been related to belief in conspiracy theories [85] and the wait-and-see approach to assess possible long-term health risks [86].…”

In-Person Schooling Amidst Children’s COVID-19 Vaccination: Exploring Parental Perceptions Just after Omicron Variant Announcement

“…Almost all of our cohort of participating parents received at least 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while only 3.2% did not receive any dose. That high rate of vaccine acceptance points to healthy parental attitudes toward vaccination, and studies from the adult Saudi population have shown COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates ranging between 52–71% [ 13 , 21 ]. However, COVID-19 vaccination efforts in KSA for children have been affected by parental acceptance and hesitancy.…”