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The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning

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A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 18141

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu

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Guest Editor

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
Interests: mental health; psychopathology; psychometrics; interventions; COVID-19 issues

Dr. Chung-Ying Lin

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Guest Editor

1. Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
2. Biostatistics Consulting Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
3. Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
4. Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Interests: patient-reported outcomes; childhood adversity and mental health in children/adolescents; therapeutic effects on people with mental illness; psychometric testing
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) continues to have a global impact, despite worldwide efforts to control infection rates with an intense vaccination drive. The vaccination program has not been completely successful due to various perceptions or reservations associated with COVID-19 vaccines. As hopes of opening up our environment/community rested on a greater percentage of the population getting vaccinated (i.e., herd immunity), vaccination hesitancy may impede important areas of functioning, including social and occupational activities, with resulting impacts on mental and physical health.

This Special Issue aims to collect original research articles or reviews that examine the effect of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, intention, and/or hesitancy and its association with our health and/or important areas of functioning.

For this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, intention, and/or hesitancy and its association with other COVID-19-related variables (e.g., COVID-19 stress, fear of COVID-19, perceived stigma from COVID-19, self-stigma from COVID-19, and believing COVID-19 information).
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, intention, and/or hesitancy and its association with social, school and/or occupational functioning.
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, intention, and/or hesitancy and its association with health (e.g., mental health and physical health).
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, intention, and/or hesitancy and its association with other vaccine acceptance, intention, and/or hesitancy.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu
Dr. Chung-Ying Lin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 218 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning

by Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu and Chung-Ying Lin

Vaccines 2023, 11(2), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11020368 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1384

Abstract

The emergence of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has had a significant negative impact on the world, with its effect noted in various areas, such as commerce [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

Research

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16 pages, 2675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parental Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake for Children over 5 Years of Age in Texas

by Paula M. Cuccaro, Jihye Choi, Yordanos M. Tiruneh, Journey Martinez, Jing Xie, Michelle Crum, Mark Owens and Jose-Miguel Yamal

Vaccines 2024, 12(5), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12050526 - 11 May 2024

Viewed by 516

Abstract

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for children, yet parental hesitancy towards vaccinating children against the virus persists. We conducted a telephone-administered weighted survey in Texas to examine parents’ sociodemographic factors and medical conditions associated with COVID-19 vaccination intention for parents with unvaccinated children ages 5–17 years. We collected responses from 19,502 participants, of which 4879 were parents of children ages 5–17 years. We conducted multiple logistic regression with Lasso-selected variables to identify factors associated with children’s vaccination status and parents’ intention to vaccinate their children. From the unweighted sample, less than half of the parents (46.8%) had at least one unvaccinated child. These parents were more likely to be White, English-speaking, not concerned about illness, privately insured, and unvaccinated for COVID-19 themselves (p < 0.001). In the adjusted regression model, parents who were unvaccinated (vs. having COVID-19 booster, aOR = 28.6) and financially insecure (aOR = 1.46) had higher odds of having unvaccinated children. Parents who were Asian (aOR = 0.50), Black (aOR = 0.69), Spanish-speaking (aOR = 0.57), concerned about illness (aOR = 0.63), had heart disease (aOR = 0.41), and diabetes (aOR = 0.61) had lower odds of having unvaccinated children. Parents who were Asian, Black, Hispanic, Spanish-speaking, concerned about illness for others, and vaccine-boosted were more likely to have vaccination intention for their children (p < 0.001). Children’s vaccination is essential to reduce COVID-19 transmission. It is important to raise awareness about the value of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination while considering parents’ sociodemographic and medical circumstances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

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12 pages, 1024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Maternal Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccination within 3 Months before Conception with Neonatal Outcomes

by Zhihui Chen, Xingbo Mu, Xinyan Wang, Lulu Zhang, Ge Liu, Jun Zheng and Fangrui Ding

Vaccines 2023, 11(11), 1710; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11111710 - 10 Nov 2023

Viewed by 900

Abstract

There is limited available data addressing whether inactivated COVID-19 vaccination before conception is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. This cohort study included all singleton live births at our center from March 1 to June 30, 2022. According to whether a maternal inactivated COVID-19 vaccination had been administered within 3 months before conception or not, neonates were identified as being in the vaccinated or unvaccinated group. Vaccination information and clinical characteristics were extracted for analysis. Furthermore, neonatal outcomes were analyzed and compared between these two groups in the present study. The cohort included 856 eligible newborns, of whom 369 were exposed to maternal vaccination before conception and 487 were unexposed newborns. No differences were observed in rates of preterm birth, newborns being small for gestational age, or neonatal intensive care unit admission between exposed and unexposed newborns. Furthermore, even after adjusting for social–economic status and maternal characteristics, there remained no significant differences in these neonatal outcomes. Our study revealed no statistically significant differences between newborns born to women who received inactivated vaccines prior to conception compared with those who did not receive any vaccinations. In addition, our study also highlights the importance of considering COVID-19 vaccination before conception. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

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12 pages, 263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Healthcare Professionals and Sociodemographic Characteristics in COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance among Uro-Oncology Patients: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

by Predrag Nikic, Branko Stankovic, Veljko Santric, Ivan Vukovic, Uros Babic, Milan Radovanovic, Nebojsa Bojanic, Miodrag Acimovic, Luka Kovacevic and Nebojsa Prijovic

Vaccines 2023, 11(5), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11050911 - 28 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1460

Abstract

At the time when mass COVID-19 vaccination began, providing appropriate vaccination advice to uro-oncology patients became a challenge. This was a single-center cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate the rate of COVID-19 vaccination among uro-oncology patients receiving systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Furthermore, we aimed to assess patients’ attitudes and identify factors influencing their decision to vaccinate against COVID-19. Data on patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, vaccination status, and awareness and attitudes about COVID-19 vaccination were collected from questionnaires completed by the patients. A total of 173 patients were enrolled in this study, and 124 (71.7%) of them completed the COVID-19 vaccination. Significantly higher vaccination rates were found in male patients, and also in older patients, highly educated patients, and those who lived with one household member. Furthermore, we found significantly higher vaccination rates in patients who had consulted with doctors involved in their treatment, particularly with urologists. A significant association was observed between COVID-19 vaccination and doctor’s advice, family member influence, and personal beliefs toward the vaccination. Our study showed multiple associations of patients’ sociodemographic characteristics with vaccination rates. Furthermore, consultation with doctors who are particularly involved in oncology treatment and advice received from them were associated with significantly higher vaccination rates among uro-oncology patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

14 pages, 935 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between the Self-Reported Likelihood of Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine, Likelihood of Contracting COVID-19, Discrimination, and Anxiety/Depression by Sexual Orientation

by David Adzrago, Cameron K. Ormiston, Saanie Sulley and Faustine Williams

Vaccines 2023, 11(3), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11030582 - 2 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1503

Abstract

There is limited evolving literature on COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its barriers among sexual minority populations (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer [LGBTQ]), despite their increased COVID-19 risk factors. We assessed the differences in intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by self-reported likelihood of contracting COVID-19, anxiety/depression, discrimination frequency, social distancing stress, and sociodemographic factors across sexual orientation. An online national cross-sectional survey was conducted in the United States between 13 May 2021, and 9 January 2022, among adults aged ≥18 (n = 5404). Sexual minority individuals had a lower intention of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (65.62%) than heterosexual individuals (67.56%). Disaggregation by sexual orientation, however, showed that gay participants had a higher intention of COVID-19 vaccination (80.41%) and lesbian (62.63%), bisexual (64.08%), and non-heterosexual, non-LGB sexual minority (56.34%) respondents had lower intentions of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine than heterosexual respondents. Sexual orientation significantly moderated the association between the perceived likelihood of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and the self-reported likelihood of contracting COVID-19, anxiety/depression symptoms, and discrimination. Our findings further underline the importance of improving vaccination efforts and access among sexual minority individuals and other vulnerable groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

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10 pages, 261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Uptake among Health Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ghana

by Abdul-Samed Mohammed, Mubarick Nungbaso Asumah, Bijaya Kumar Padhi, Abhinav Sinha, Issah Mohammed, Safayet Jamil, Osborn Antwi Boasiako, Nladobi Leman and Russell Kabir

Vaccines 2023, 11(1), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11010190 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2352

Abstract

COV-2 SARs has disproportionately affected low- and middle-income countries such as Ghana, where the healthcare system was not prepared enough to provide care, drugs, and equipment. This study was carried out to assess predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health professionals in the Bono region of Ghana. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 health professionals recruited through simple random sampling. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to identify the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance presented as an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). All respondents had heard about the COVID-19 vaccine. The most common source of information was the media (45.8%). The proportion of health professionals who accepted the COVID-19 vaccine was 73.6%. Among those who did not take the vaccine, 64.3% were willing to take it in the future. The key predictors of taking the COVID-19 vaccine included: age 25 to 45 years (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.14–3.35), age older than 45 years (AOR = 5.30, 95% CI: 2.59–10.87), males (AOR = 4.09, 95% CI: 2.34–7.15), Christians (AOR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.44–7.72), and at least three years of experience (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.033–2.93). Reasons for not taking vaccines included: vaccines were rapidly developed and approved (41.0%), immediate side effects (39.2%), and unforeseen future effects (37.5%). This study showed that most participants had received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination, and most of those hesitant about the vaccine were willing to receive it in the future. This is a positive finding for policy makers since it reflects that fewer resources will be needed for behavioural change initiatives. In addition, it would present a chance to focus on minority individuals who are unwilling to take the vaccine and offer targeted community mobilisation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

11 pages, 450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological Distress and Physical Adverse Events of COVID-19 Vaccination among Healthcare Workers in Taiwan

by Ahmad Rifai, Wan-Ching Wu, Yu-Wen Tang, Mei-Yun Lu, Pei-Jen Chiu, Carol Strong, Chung-Ying Lin, Po-Lin Chen, Wen-Chien Ko and Nai-Ying Ko

Vaccines 2023, 11(1), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11010129 - 5 Jan 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2263

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic places high pressure on everyone, including healthcare workers (HCWs), thus causing them to experience psychological distress. HCWs have priority in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. However, few studies have identified adverse events (AEs) and psychological distress in the HCWs group. Therefore, we investigated the association between psychological distress and AEs and the determinants of protective behaviors in Taiwanese HCWs. A longitudinal measurement was conducted among HCWs at National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH), Tainan, Taiwan (n = 483, mean age = 37.55 years). All HCWs completed an online questionnaire on psychological distress, COVID-19 vaccination AEs, and protective behaviors. We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) to analyze the correlation between psychological distress and AEs, and used multivariable logistic regressions to explore the predictors of protective behaviors. Depression and distress and anger were significantly associated with various physical AEs (p = 0.045 to p < 0.001). Suicidal thoughts became a significant independent variable of systemic AEs after COVID-19 vaccination (p = 0.014 to p < 0.001). People of older ages or females engaged more in washing their hands, wearing masks, and reducing their presence in crowded places. Suicidal thoughts were related to the occurrence of systemic AEs among HCWs. Doctors performed better at preventive behaviors compared to nurses and other HCWs. HCWs who experienced anxiety and nervousness tended to avoid crowds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

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9 pages, 1845 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does the COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Change According to the Education and Income: A Study on Vaccination Rates in Cities of Turkey between 2021-September and 2022-February

by Beyza Cengiz, Mustafa Ünal Sayılır, Nur Yıldız Zengin, Öykü Nehir Küçük and Abdullah Ruhi Soylu

Vaccines 2022, 10(11), 1933; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10111933 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2210

Abstract

Background: The increase in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates in Turkey and in the world plays a key role in reducing the number of deaths and cases from COVID-19. Investigating the underlying causes of COVID-19 vaccine hesitations seems to be a guide in reducing the negative effects of the pandemic. Methods: We analyzed the correlations between double COVID-19 vaccination rates of all cities in Turkey between 1 September 2021 and 1 February 2022 and their per capita income values and their education level percentages. Results: Overall, there was a negative correlation between the vaccination rates of cities and the percentages of illiterate, literate without a diploma, and secondary school graduates for both genders. However, there was a positive correlation between city vaccination rates and the percentages of primary school and college graduates. City income values per capita values were positively correlated with double vaccination rates of cities. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that not only low levels of education, but also interruption of education at some point make a significant contribution to vaccination hesitancy and ultimately to vaccination levels. In order to end the pandemic and reach a sufficient percentage of vaccines, it may be necessary to address some special groups and raise awareness of these groups about vaccination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

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10 pages, 581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Secondary School Teachers and Outpatient Physicians: Differences in Attitudes towards Vaccination against COVID-19 in Slovakia

by Maria Tatarkova, Romana Ulbrichtova, Viera Svihrova, Jana Zibolenova, Martin Novak, Jan Jr. Svihra, Jr. and Henrieta Hudeckova

Vaccines 2022, 10(11), 1858; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10111858 - 2 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1319

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in attitudes towards vaccination against COVID-19 among secondary school teachers and outpatient physicians. A cross-sectional study was realised using anonymous questionnaires. The EPI Info 7 program and R software, version 4.0.2 were used for statistical analysis. The questionnaire was completed by 868 respondents (teaching staff N = 451; outpatient physician N = 417). The number of employees vaccinated against COVID-19 was 742 (85.5%). The number of those vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza (last season) was 192 (21.9%). The statistically significant predictors were the level of fear of COVID-19 (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.29–1.52), profession—outpatient physicians (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.55–4.23), history of COVID-19 (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.22–0.54), gender (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.33–0.89) and influenza vaccination at any time in the past (OR 3.52; 95% CI 1.10–11.31). The strongest motivation for vaccination against COVID-19 among physicians was the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 during the performance of their profession (N = 336; 87%); among teachers, it was the protection of family members (N = 258; 73%). The most common reason for vaccine hesitancy was concern about vaccine safety (N = 80; 63.5%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

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Review

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12 pages, 291 KiB

Open AccessReview

Factors Affecting Vaccine Attitudes Influenced by the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Jessica D. Altman, Dashiell S. Miner, Abigail A. Lee, Aaron E. Asay, Bryce U. Nielson, Agnes M. Rose, Kaitlyn Hinton and Brian D. Poole

Vaccines 2023, 11(3), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11030516 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3192

Abstract

The development of vaccines has significantly contributed to the success of disease prevention. However, there has been a sharp decline in immunization rates since COVID-19 spread globally. Seemingly overnight, the world shut down and most non-essential medical procedures were postponed. Since the COVID-19 vaccine became available, and the world started going back to normal these vaccine rates have not recovered. In this paper, we review the published literature to explore how convenience factors, perceived risk of vaccination, media or anti-vaccination ideals/movements, and healthcare professionals affect an individual’s compliance to be vaccinated to better understand the factors that contribute to the change in overall vaccination rates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Intention, and/or Hesitancy and Its Association with Our Health and/or Important Areas of Functioning)

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