Publication
Perceived COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, acceptance, and drivers of vaccination decision-making among the general adult population: A global survey of 20 countries
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date:
28-01-2022
DOI:
10.1371/JOURNAL.PNTD.0010103
Abstract: Mass vaccination c aigns have significantly reduced the COVID-19 burden. However, vaccine hesitancy has posed significant global concerns. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics that influence perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, acceptability, hesitancy and decision making to take vaccine among general adult populations in a variety of socioeconomic and cultural contexts. Using a snowball s ling approach, we conducted an online cross-sectional study in 20 countries across four continents from February to May 2021. A total of 10,477 participants were included in the analyses with a mean age of 36±14.3 years. The findings revealed the prevalence of perceptions towards COVID-19 vaccine’s effectiveness (78.8%), acceptance (81.8%), hesitancy (47.2%), and drivers of vaccination decision-making (convenience [73.3%], health providers’ advice [81.8%], and costs [57.0%]). The county-wise distribution included effectiveness (67.8–95.9% 67.8% in Egypt to 95.9% in Malaysia), acceptance (64.7–96.0% 64.7% in Australia to 96.0% in Malaysia), hesitancy (31.5–86.0% 31.5% in Egypt to 86.0% in Vietnam), convenience (49.7–95.7% 49.7% in Austria to 95.7% in Malaysia), advice (66.1–97.3% 66.1% in Austria to 97.3% in Malaysia), and costs (16.0–91.3% 16.0% in Vietnam to 91.3% in Malaysia). In multivariable regression analysis, several socio-demographic characteristics were identified as associated factors of outcome variables including, i) vaccine effectiveness: younger age, male, urban residence, higher education, and higher income ii) acceptance: younger age, male, urban residence, higher education, married, and higher income and iii) hesitancy: male, higher education, employed, unmarried, and lower income. Likewise, the factors associated with vaccination decision-making including i) convenience: younger age, urban residence, higher education, married, and lower income ii) advice: younger age, urban residence, higher education, unemployed/student, married, and medium income and iii) costs: younger age, higher education, unemployed/student, and lower income. Most participants believed that vaccination would effectively control and prevent COVID-19, and they would take vaccinations upon availability. Determinant factors found in this study are critical and should be considered as essential elements in developing COVID-19 vaccination c aigns to boost vaccination uptake in the populations.