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Vaccines
Special Issues
Public Attitudes towards Vaccination
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Public Attitudes towards Vaccination

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Vaccines and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 8183

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Latefa Ali Dardas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Interests: global health; mental health; adolescent health; human behavior

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global burden of communicable diseases remains a concern in the 21st century as they account for almost 30–40 percent of the burden of disease. Public compliance to infection control measures is the key factor to mitigate the spread of these diseases. Vaccination has been considered one of the most effective public health interventions in preventing infectious diseases. Unfortunately, findings from nationally representative studies around the globe revealed that the negative public attitudes towards vaccination and hesitancy and uncertainty about receiving vaccines are still significant challenges hindering achieving the vaccination coverage required for population immunity.

Behavioral models suggest that individuals who perceive the value and usefulness of adopting new behaviors in minimizing the risk of an illness will likely adopt such behaviors and adhere to them. In contrast, perceived risks and/or a lack of knowledge might cause delays in accepting or refusing such behaviors despite the availability of needed services. Given that people’s attitudes are often a good predictor of their behavior, developing an understanding of public attitudes towards vaccination is strategic to help inform preparations and strategies for the prevention and control of current and emerging infectious diseases.

We welcome papers what go beyond a simple description of current attitudes to providing an updated and nuanced understanding of people’s attitudes towards vaccines and factors determining vaccine intent, hesitancy, confidence, and acceptance using large and representative samples. Papers that present or test interventions to promote attitudes towards vaccines are particularly invited. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that synthesize available evidence related to attitudes towards vaccines are also welcomed. The formation of public acceptance of vaccination is a complex phenomenon with various determinates such as demographic, locational, temporal, and other contextual factors. Therefore, we invite papers covering a wide range of cultures and individual characteristics.

Dr. Latefa Ali Dardas
Guest Editor

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.

Keywords

  • vaccination
  • infectious disease
  • public attitudes
  • public health
  • vaccine intent
  • hesitancy
  • confidence

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2199 KiB  
Article
Acceptance of and Adherence to a Four-Dose RTS,S/AS01 Schedule: Findings from a Longitudinal Qualitative Evaluation Study for the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme
by Jessica Price, Nikki Gurley, Margaret Gyapong, Evelyn Korkor Ansah, Kofi Awusabo-Asare, Samuel Fosu Gyasi, Pearson Nkhoma, Alinane Linda Nyondo-Mipando, George Okello, Jayne Webster, Nicola Desmond, Jenny Hill and W. Scott Gordon
Vaccines 2023, 11(12), 1801; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11121801 - 1 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1532
Abstract
Background: The WHO recommended the use of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine (RTS,S) based on a pilot evaluation in routine use in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted to examine facilitators and barriers to uptake of a 4-dose RTS,S schedule. [...] Read more.
Background: The WHO recommended the use of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine (RTS,S) based on a pilot evaluation in routine use in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted to examine facilitators and barriers to uptake of a 4-dose RTS,S schedule. Methods: A cohort of 198 caregivers of RTS,S-eligible children from communities where RTS,S was provided through the pilot were interviewed three times over a ≈22-month, 4-dose schedule. The interviews examined caregiver perceptions and behaviors. Children’s vaccination history was obtained to determine dose uptake. Results: 162 caregivers remained at round 3 (R3); vaccination history was available for 152/162 children. Despite early rumors/fears, the uptake of initial doses was high, driven by vaccine trust. Fears dissipated by R2, replaced with an enthusiasm for RTS,S as caregivers perceived its safety and less frequent and severe malaria. By R3, 98/152 children had received four doses; 34 three doses; 9 one or two doses; and 11 zero doses. The health system and information barriers were important across all under-dose cases. Fears about AEFIs/safety were important in zero-, one-, and two-dose cases. Competing life/livelihood demands and complacency were found in three-dose cases. Regardless of the doses received, caregivers had positive attitudes towards RTS,S by R3. Conclusions: Findings from our study will help countries newly introducing the vaccine to anticipate and preempt reasons for delayed acceptance and missed RTS,S doses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Attitudes towards Vaccination)
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13 pages, 274 KiB  
Article
Using Digital Technology to Build COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence: A Qualitative Study among Latinx Parents of Children Aged 5–11 in Under-Resourced Communities across Los Angeles County
by Michael Panameno, Luisa R. Blanco, Ann Marie Hernandez, Renato Escobar, Brittney Zendejas, Susana Rafaela and Yelba M. Castellon-Lopez
Vaccines 2023, 11(6), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11061042 - 30 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2080
Abstract
Background: Latinx school-aged children are more than twice as likely to be infected with and die from COVID-19 as non-Latinx White children in Los Angeles. Although COVID-19 vaccination has the potential to mitigate health disparities exacerbated by the pandemic, vaccination uptake among [...] Read more.
Background: Latinx school-aged children are more than twice as likely to be infected with and die from COVID-19 as non-Latinx White children in Los Angeles. Although COVID-19 vaccination has the potential to mitigate health disparities exacerbated by the pandemic, vaccination uptake among Latinx children remains limited. MiVacunaLA (MVLA) is a mobile-phone-delivered digital intervention that improved vaccination rates in 12- to 17-year-old Latinx children and parental intention to vaccinate 2- to 11-year-old children. Since piloting MVLA, the COVID-19 vaccine became available to children aged 5–11. We sought to understand parental experiences with the MVLA intervention and their attitudes and beliefs about vaccinating their young children to improve vaccination confidence in the Latinx community. Methods: We conducted six virtual focus groups with 47 parents/caregivers of children aged 5–11 who participated in the MVLA intervention. We used standard qualitative content analysis methods and rigid and accelerated data reduction to identify and analyze major themes discussed in the sessions. Results: Each salient theme from our focus groups was mapped to one of the 5Cs constructs. The themes included the parents’ need for more contemplation about vaccinating their children than about vaccinating themselves; the parents’ need for trusted sources of vaccine information; the parents’ motivations to vaccinate their children against COVID-19; parental concern about short- and long-term effects of the vaccine in children; digital technology and videos as useful engagement tools; and age and health stratification as an approach to parental vaccination decision-making. Conclusions: The results of this study clarify the key factors that influence the decision of Latinx parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Our findings can inform efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among children in underserved Latinx communities, especially regarding the use of digital technologies for promoting vaccine confidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Attitudes towards Vaccination)
13 pages, 424 KiB  
Article
Factors Affecting Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Attitudes among Lebanese University Students: The Impact of Vaccination Promotional Programs and COVID-19 Pandemic
by Nisreen Mourad, Lidia Mourad, Dalal Hammoudi Halat, Zeina Farah, Mohamed Hendaus, Israa El Sayed Trad, Marwan El Akel, Jihan Safwan, Mohamad Rahal and Samar Younes
Vaccines 2023, 11(5), 949; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11050949 - 5 May 2023
Viewed by 1865
Abstract
Vaccination is the most effective preventative strategy against influenza, yet university students’ influenza vaccination uptake remains low. This study aimed firstly to determine the percentage of university students who were vaccinated for the 2015–2016 influenza season and to identify reasons for non-vaccination, and [...] Read more.
Vaccination is the most effective preventative strategy against influenza, yet university students’ influenza vaccination uptake remains low. This study aimed firstly to determine the percentage of university students who were vaccinated for the 2015–2016 influenza season and to identify reasons for non-vaccination, and secondly to examine the impact of external factors (on-campus/online influenza awareness campaigns and COVID-19 pandemic) on their influenza vaccination uptake and attitudes for the 2017–2018 and 2021–2022 influenza seasons. A descriptive study was conducted over three phases for three influenza seasons at a Lebanese university in the Bekaa Region. Based on data collected in 2015–2016, promotional activities were developed and implemented for the other influenza seasons. This study was conducted using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire by students. The majority of the respondents in the three studies did not receive the influenza vaccine (89.2% in the 2015–2016 study, 87.3% in the 2017–2018 study, and 84.7% in the 2021–2022 study). Among the unvaccinated respondents, the main reason for non-vaccination was that they thought that they did not need it. The primary reason for vaccination among those who were vaccinated was that they believed they were at risk of catching influenza in a 2017–2018 study and due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2021–2022 study. As for attitudes towards influenza vaccination post-COVID-19, significant differences were shown among the vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents. The vaccination rates among university students remained low despite of the awareness campaigns and COVID-19 pandemic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Attitudes towards Vaccination)
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15 pages, 1721 KiB  
Systematic Review
Flu Shots Unveiled: A Global Systematic Review of Healthcare Providers’ Uptake of, Perceptions, and Attitudes toward Influenza Vaccination
by Latefa Ali Dardas, Obada Al-leimon, Abdel Rahman Jaber, Mohammed Saadeh, Ahmad Al-leimon, Ahmad Al-Hurani, Abdul-Raheem Jaber, Omer Aziziye, Fadi Al-salieby, Mohammad Aljahalin and Brittney Van de Water
Vaccines 2023, 11(12), 1760; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11121760 - 27 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2204
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Influenza, with its potential for widespread transmission and significant health repercussions for individuals and populations, demands the immediate implementation of effective preventive measures. Vaccination stands as a long-standing evidence-based strategic approach to bolster immunity, especially for healthcare providers at heightened [...] Read more.
Background and Purpose: Influenza, with its potential for widespread transmission and significant health repercussions for individuals and populations, demands the immediate implementation of effective preventive measures. Vaccination stands as a long-standing evidence-based strategic approach to bolster immunity, especially for healthcare providers at heightened risk due to repeated exposure. Nevertheless, studies indicate a variance in adherence to recommended vaccination protocols and a notable prevalence of hesitancy and negative attitudes toward influenza vaccination among this critical group globally. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of attitudes is essential for the development of targeted interventions and strategies tailored to address the specific concerns and motivations of healthcare providers. To this end, this study synthesized the evidence gathered from an exhaustive systematic review of studies on healthcare providers’ uptake of and perceptions and attitudes toward influenza vaccination. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across the databases PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines, using Covidence for screening. The process involved 4970 references, with 2684 screened after duplicate removals and 1891 excluded, leaving 793 full texts evaluated, resulting in a final 368 selected references for analysis. Due to the considerable heterogeneity observed among the studies, a narrative synthesis method was employed. Results: Five themes emerged from the systematic review’s analysis, offering a multifaceted perspective on healthcare providers’ attitudes toward influenza vaccination: (1) fostering positive views: factors promoting attitudes toward influenza vaccines; (2) navigating hesitancy: barriers and challenges to attitudes on influenza vaccines; (3) empowering change: interventions and their impact on healthcare providers’ attitudes; (4) pandemic overlap: intersecting attitudes toward influenza and COVID-19 vaccines; and (5) twin challenges: the impact of mandatory policy on attitudes and influenza vaccination. Conclusions: Healthcare providers’ attitudes toward influenza vaccination are complex and influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, barriers, demographics, organizational factors, interventions, pandemic contexts, and policy considerations. Effective strategies for promoting influenza vaccination should be multifaceted, adaptable, and tailored to address these interconnected aspects, ultimately contributing to improved vaccination rates and public health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Attitudes towards Vaccination)
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