Article
Immunology
Abigail Gamble, Tessa J. Hastings, Salisa C. Westrick, Megan Smith, Ashley N. Hannings, Jessica M. Robinson, Meagen Rosenthal, Stephanie N. Kiser, Geoffrey Curran, Delesha M. Carpenter
Summary: This study investigated rural community pharmacists' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine boosters and whether rural pharmacies provided these boosters. Among the 80 rural Southeastern U.S. pharmacists who participated in the online survey, the majority (n = 68, 85%) offered boosters and 42 (52.5%) had received the booster themselves. Alabama and Mississippi had lower rates of booster administration compared to other states, and pharmacists who had not received COVID-19 vaccination or booster doses were less likely to offer boosters to their patients. Moreover, many pharmacists and patients believed that boosters were unnecessary. Community pharmacies play a crucial role in providing access to COVID-19 boosters in rural areas. Interventions targeting both pharmacists and patients are necessary to address hesitancy and improve booster uptake in these communities.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Madison Ashworth, Linda Thunstrom, Todd L. Cherry, Stephen C. Newbold, David C. Finnoff
Summary: The study found that public messages emphasizing the personal health benefits have the largest impact on increasing vaccine intentions. Additionally, public health messages have a positive effect on vaccine intentions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jiangbo Fan, Xi Wang, Shuai Du, Ayan Mao, Haiping Du, Wuqi Qiu
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to global public health security, and vaccination through public health interventions has been recognized as crucial. However, mistrust plays a major role in vaccine hesitancy, thus impeding the widespread acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines. This paper aims to discuss the key issues and the role of trust in promoting the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and implementing effective policies.
Article
Immunology
Ann Marie R. Hess, Colin T. Waters, Elizabeth A. Jacobs, Kerri L. Barton, Kathleen M. Fairfield
Summary: This study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, including sources of information. The results showed that younger individuals who had less trust in government information were more likely to be vaccine hesitant, but they sought advice from primary care physicians. They expressed concerns about vaccine efficacy, side effects, and the speed of vaccine development.
Article
Immunology
Donald J. Alcendor, Patricia Matthews-Juarez, Neely Williams, Derek Wilus, Mohammad Tabatabai, Esarrah Hopkins, Kirstyn George, Ashley H. Leon, Rafael Santiago, Arthur Lee, Duane Smoot, James E. K. Hildreth, Paul D. Juarez
Summary: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake among Southern states in the US has been a problem. A survey was conducted to explore COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among medically underserved communities in Tennessee. The survey revealed an association between race and vaccination status. Reasons for refusing the vaccines include distrust in vaccine safety, concerns about side effects, fear of needles, and vaccine efficacy.
Article
Immunology
John Paul Fobiwe, Peter Martus, Brian D. Poole, Jamie L. Jensen, Stefanie Joos
Summary: Trust in institutions and democracy plays a significant role in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. The study found that factors such as trust in institutions, trust in non-pharmaceutical interventions, and various demographic factors were associated with intent to vaccinate. History of influenza vaccination and satisfaction with democratic institutions were highly predictive of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Results also showed that social determinants of health and receiving the flu vaccine were predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.
Article
Immunology
Takeshi Yoda, Hironobu Katsuyama
Summary: The study found that 65.7% of Japanese respondents were willing to be vaccinated, including older age groups, those living in rural areas, and individuals with underlying medical conditions; males showed less hesitancy towards vaccination. Despite the presence of selection bias, the study provides important information for understanding the willingness of Japanese people to be vaccinated.
Article
Immunology
Yi-Miao Zhao, Lin Liu, Jie Sun, Wei Yan, Kai Yuan, Yong-Bo Zheng, Zheng-An Lu, Lin Liu, Shu-Yu Ni, Si-Zhen Su, Xi-Mei Zhu, Na Zeng, Yi-Miao Gong, Ping Wu, Mao-Sheng Ran, Yue Leng, Jie Shi, Le Shi, Lin Lu, Yan-Ping Bao
Summary: The study in China shows that while the majority of the general population is willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines, hesitancy is common, with factors such as vaccine safety and information sources influencing attitudes. Vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and resistance are associated with factors including gender, age, income, and residence.
Article
Immunology
Mehmet Emin Parlak, Erdogan Oz, Osman Kucukkelepce
Summary: This study investigated the attitudes and behaviors of breastfeeding mothers towards the COVID-19 vaccine, focusing on their knowledge and hesitation about it. It was a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted in the Kahta district of Adiyaman, Turkey, between January and May 2022. The study included 405 mothers who visited the Kahta State Hospital Pediatrics outpatient clinic. Data was collected using a questionnaire, and consent was obtained from the participants. The vaccination rate was higher for mothers with higher education levels and for those whose breastfed child was younger than 6 months. Mothers who had been infected with the COVID-19 virus had a lower vaccination rate. Mothers who received information from their family doctor and the internet had higher vaccination rates compared to those who obtained information from other sources. Mothers with lower education levels were more likely to think that babies should stop breastfeeding before vaccination. To address vaccine hesitancy among mothers, it is important to provide accurate information and education to the whole society, especially focusing on families with lower education and economic levels.
Article
Immunology
Bent Steenberg, Nellie Myburgh, Andile Sokani, Nonhlanhla Ngwenya, Portia Mutevedzi, Shabir A. Madhi
Summary: COVID-19 immunization programs have been rolled out globally on an unprecedented scale. This article highlights the challenges faced in achieving vaccine acceptance in Soweto, South Africa. Despite normative hypothetical acceptance, vaccine uptake remains concerningly low in South Africa, particularly in Soweto. Factors such as distrust towards authorities and misinformation have contributed to hesitancy and denialism among the public. Stated intent to immunize does not necessarily translate to actual behavior. Unveiling and addressing barriers to vaccine confidence and selectivity is crucial, especially in lower-income groups with specific cultural, spiritual, historical, and socioeconomic contexts. Effective media communication and debunking of false claims are essential in promoting immunization.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Li Ping Wong, Haridah Alias, Megat Mohamad Amirul Amzar Megat Hashim, Hai Yen Lee, Sazaly AbuBakar, Ivy Chung, Zhijan Hu, Yulan Lin
Summary: This study aims to assess the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among Muslims in Malaysia. The majority of participants expressed a definite or probable intent to receive the vaccine. Attitudes towards vaccination were found to be the strongest influencing factor, while religious health fatalism was not significantly associated with vaccination intent.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Matthew Z. Dudley, Benjamin Schwartz, Janesse Brewer, Lilly Kan, Roger Bernier, Jennifer E. Gerber, Haley Budigan Ni, Tina M. Proveaux, Rajiv N. Rimal, Daniel A. Salmon
Summary: This study survey found that more than half of unvaccinated adults remained uncertain about COVID-19 vaccination during the surge of the Delta variant. The majority of the unvaccinated population were younger, without a bachelor's degree, earning lower income, and tended to be Republican/Independent. Concerns among the unvaccinated included safety, speed of development, and suspicion of the government and pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, about one third of the unvaccinated reported facing barriers to vaccination.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Azure Tariro Makadzange, Patricia Gundidza, Charles Lau, Janan Dietrich, Nellie Myburgh, Nyasha Elose, Wilmot James, Lawrence Stanberry, Chiratidzo Ndhlovu
Summary: The low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in many African countries is mainly due to vaccine hesitancy driven by confidence, convenience, and complacency. Findings from a survey conducted in Zimbabwe show that women, older adults, and people living with HIV have specific concerns and perceptions about vaccine safety and effectiveness. Internet users are less likely to trust vaccines, while family members play a key role in influencing vaccination decisions.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Carina Kasrine Al Halabi, Sahar Obeid, Hala Sacre, Marwan Akel, Rabih Hallit, Pascale Salameh, Souheil Hallit
Summary: This study in Lebanon found that 21.4% of adults were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, while 40.9% refused it. Factors associated with vaccine refusal included more vaccine hesitancy, female gender, and being married. Targeted efforts are needed to increase acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among the Lebanese population.
Article
Immunology
Zlatko Nikoloski, Elnur Aliyev, Robert E. S. Bain, Leonardo Menchini, Sahar Hegazi, Mai Zalkha, Shaza Mouawad, Neha Kapil, Amaya M. M. Gillespie
Summary: Based on a survey of over 17,000 adults in Syria, this study finds that certain demographic and socioeconomic factors significantly impact vaccination coverage. Men, older individuals, and those with higher education and trust in healthcare authorities are more likely to be vaccinated. On the other hand, younger individuals, women, and those with lower education are more likely to refuse vaccination. Those who have a neutral attitude towards vaccines are more likely to be undecided, while those who refuse vaccination trust information from private doctors, clinics, social media, and the internet.
