Improving COVID-19 vaccine uptake: lessons from an academic institution in Saudi Arabia.
East Mediterr Health J
; 29(7): 580-586, 2023 Jul 31.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37553747
ABSTRACT
Background:
Rejection, hesitancy and low uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine are major public health challenges in Saudi Arabia.Aims:
To address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and rejection at the King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) using evidence-based strategies.Methods:
A questionnaire was administered electronically to participants at KSAU-HS to understand the reasons for vaccine hesitancy or rejection and develop an evidence-informed vaccination plan. Initial results from March 2021 showed that only 60% of respondents had taken at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine dose. Based on the results of the survey, KSAU-HS designed a 6-month vaccination campaign to raise awareness about the vaccine and its importance and increase acceptability rates. Mass media, social media, and direct messaging as reminders were used to address the barriers identified and to help the university community overcome fears and misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine.Results:
The evidence-based interventions helped achieve a significantly high vaccination rate in the university community, with 99.7% of individuals vaccinated by October 2021; one of the highest vaccination rates among public universities in Saudi Arabia.Conclusion:
Evidence-based interventions targeted at specific populations can help address prevailing concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine and other similar public health issues.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Vacinas contra COVID-19
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
East Mediterr Health J
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Arábia Saudita