COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Parents of Children Younger than 12 Years in Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT: The current study evaluates COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among parents of children younger than 12 in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional research design was used. A total of 1152 parents participated. About 26.5% of children were vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale mean score is 2.65 among participating parents. About 31.3% of participants were vaccine hesitant, 68.7% were not. High levels of hesitation are present in 70.8% of mother respondents and 57.6% of fathers (P = 0.001). About 72.7% of parents who received false information about COVID-19 vaccines had a high hesitancy level (P = 0.001). The odds ratio = 1.94 (P < 0.001) indicates that parents exposed to false information are more likely to have higher levels of hesitancy than others. There remains a significant number of parents who value the importance of vaccination and rely on accurate and reliable sources of information to make informed decisions.

Measuring vaccination coverage and concerns of vaccine holdouts from web search logs.

To design effective vaccine policies, policymakers need detailed data about who has been vaccinated, who is holding out, and why. However, existing data in the US are insufficient: reported vaccination rates are often delayed or not granular enough, and surveys of vaccine hesitancy are limited by high-level questions and self-report biases. Here we show how search engine logs and machine learning can help to fill these gaps, using anonymized Bing data from February to August 2021. First, we develop a vaccine intent classifier that accurately detects when a user is seeking the COVID-19 vaccine on Bing. Our classifier demonstrates strong agreement with CDC vaccination rates, while preceding CDC reporting by 1-2 weeks, and estimates more granular ZIP-level rates, revealing local heterogeneity in vaccine seeking. To study vaccine hesitancy, we use our classifier to identify two groups, vaccine early adopters and vaccine holdouts. We find that holdouts, compared to early adopters matched on covariates, are 67% likelier to click on untrusted news sites, and are much more concerned about vaccine requirements, development, and vaccine myths. Even within holdouts, clusters emerge with different concerns and openness to the vaccine. Finally, we explore the temporal dynamics of vaccine concerns and vaccine seeking, and find that key indicators predict when individuals convert from holding out to seeking the vaccine.

Attitudes and beliefs of nurses who choose to not vaccinate for COVID 19 in West Virginia: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe beliefs and attitudes that underpin vaccine confidence and hesitancy in nurses who chose not to vaccinate for COVID-19. The research question that guided this work was: What are the beliefs and attitudes of nurses who chose to not vaccinate for COVID-19? METHODS: This study followed a focus group methodology to collect qualitative data from focused discussions to gather insights into the beliefs and attitudes of participants. Two focus groups consisting of 3 to 5 participants were conducted virtually. RESULTS: Using open coding, six themes were generated. Based on descriptors provided by participants, two themes were focused on beliefs, and four were related to attitudes about the vaccine. Findings suggest that participants' beliefs and attitudes were strengthened during this time in the pandemic. This event further divided nurses included in this study from their peers who chose to vaccinate and their employers who mandated inoculation. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the perceptions of this sample has given insight into the thoughts and feelings of nurses who chose not to vaccinate against COVID-19. This is a perspective that is often absent from scientific literature. Knowledge gained from this study may assist in supporting strategies such as open communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration in an effort to mitigate the divide within the nursing workforce, which may ultimately contribute to nursing retention in clinical settings.

Exploring the relationship between vaccine hesitancy and mothers' perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years during the omicron predominant period 2021-2022: a qualitative study.

Background: The United States Food and Drug Administration authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years in October 2021 during the Omicron predominant period. Parental vaccine hesitancy was prevalent during this time, resulting in low childhood COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Most studies exploring factors influencing parental vaccine hesitancy have focused on racial and ethnic minorities and lower socioeconomic populations; however, there is little knowledge of the drive drivers of vaccine hesitancy among White parents with higher education and socioeconomic statuses. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with a sample of 15 White mothers of children ages 5-11 years in Atlanta, GA, between October-December 2021. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 12. Results: Mothers were college-educated, homeowners, and fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Key findings included decreased pediatrician's recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, reliance on information from specialized doctors and scientists, distrust in public health authorities, high risk-perception of COVID-19 vaccines, and low risk-perception of COVID-19 disease. Factors related to vaccine acceptance were altruism and practicality. Conclusion: This study adds to the sparse literature on reasons for vaccine hesitancy among White mothers of children ages 5-11 years with higher educational and socioeconomic status. Improving vaccine uptake among this group is critical for protecting the health of their children and other vulnerable populations. Tailored vaccine messaging and intervention are warranted to address their unique attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. An enhanced understanding of the factors influencing subpopulations of parents can help vaccine policymakers and healthcare providers improve efforts to reduce vaccine hesitancy, particularly for new vaccines.

Childhood vaccination among Polish immigrants in Norway: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Confidence in childhood vaccination is high in Norway and the Norwegian Childhood Immunization Programme (NCIP) achieves high overall coverage rates. However, lower coverage has been observed for some immigrant groups, including Polish immigrants who represent the largest immigrant group in Norway. Anti-vaccine sentiments and increased refusal of mandatory childhood vaccination has been on the rise in Poland, but it is unknown whether such attitudes also apply to Polish immigrants in Norway, as they experience a different vaccination policy and perhaps also different attitudes to vaccines. This qualitative study aims to explore attitudes towards childhood vaccination in Norway among Polish immigrants. METHODS: We interviewed 15 Polish parents living in Norway in 2022. We recruited the participants by purposive sampling and analyzed the interviews by reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: views of childhood vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, and differences in childhood vaccination between Poland and Norway. Overall, the participants favored childhood vaccination and viewed most of the vaccines included in the NCIP as safe and reliable. Human papilloma virus, meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines were declined by some of the parents. Comparisons of childhood vaccination in Poland and Norway was evident in many of the interviews, especially among parents whose children had received vaccines in both countries. The participants were well acquainted with the NCIP, favored voluntary childhood vaccination, and the majority expressed a high level of trust in Norwegian health authorities. CONCLUSIONS: Polish immigrants to Norway generally expressed positive views about childhood vaccination. Non-vaccination was related to lack of knowledge and/or unfamiliarity with certain vaccines and not with anti-vaccine sentiments or conspiracy theories. The study highlights how parents' knowledge, in combination with norms and trends from both birth country and country of residence, influence parents' decision making about vaccination.

The affecting factors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in parents of children with cancer: A cross-sectional Jordanian study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Children with cancer have higher mortality and morbidity rates than have been reported in general children patients infected by coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19). Thus, for children with cancer, COVID-19 vaccination is a priority. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in parents of children with cancer in Jordan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the third quarter of 2022 at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan. The study employed a self-administered questionnaire, incorporating COVID-specific questions. Participants included parents of children aged 18 years or younger undergoing treatment or monitoring at the center. A straightforward random sampling approach was used to recruit participants. Ethical approval and institutional permission were obtained, ensuring voluntary participation with the right to withdraw. RESULTS: A total of 409 participants, predominantly female, were enrolled in the study. Notably, most of the enrolled parents did not intend to have their children vaccinated either for seasonal flu or for COVID-19, 76.2% and 78.7%, respectively. The bulk of the parents were encouraged to vaccinate their child by the child's pediatrician (82.9%). Parents' age and their children's age were significantly influenced their willingness to vaccinate their children with the COVID-19 vaccine (p < .001), in which parents' age group 45-54 years and children's age group above 15 years old show the highest vaccination rate. Meanwhile, there was a significant association between children's vaccination with parents suffering from chronic disease (p < .001) and parents receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (p = .014). There are still some concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness, safety, and whether it is essential for their child. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of parents in Jordan are hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine when considering its administration to their children with cancer. This finding emphasizes the importance of communication and education to address vaccination hesitancy.

Use of narratives to enhance childhood vaccine acceptance: Results of an online experiment among Canadian parents.

Identifying effective interventions to promote children's vaccination acceptance is crucial for the health and wellbeing of communities. Many interventions can be implemented to increase parental awareness of the benefits of vaccination and positively influence their confidence in vaccines and vaccination services. One potential approach is using narratives as an intervention. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a narrative-based intervention on parents' attitudes and vaccination intentions. In a pre-post experiment, 2,000 parents of young children recruited from an online pan-Canadian panel were randomly exposed to one of the three videos presenting narratives to promote childhood vaccination or a control condition video about the importance and benefits of physical activity in children. Pre-post measures reveal a relatively modest but positive impact of the narratives on parents' attitudes and intention to vaccinate their child(ren). The results also suggest that narratives with more emotional content may be more effective in positively influencing vaccine attitudes than the more factual narrative. Using narratives to promote vaccination can positively influence parents' views and intentions toward childhood vaccines, but research is still required to identify the best components of such interventions.

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination acceptance and associated factors among residents of Dire Dawa Administration, Eastern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an extremely contagious viral infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Understanding the willingness of the community to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will help in the development and implementation of effective COVID-19 vaccination promotion programs. Therefore, we aimed to assess the level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among residents of Dire Dawa Administration, Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 840 residents in Dire Dawa Administration from May 18th to June 18th, 2021. Multistage cluster sampling followed by systematic random sampling was used to select respondents. A pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from respondents. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. The odds ratio (OR), along with a 95% confidence interval (CI), was used to estimate the strength of the association. RESULTS: Out of 840 respondents recruited, the proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was found to be 54.4% (457/840); (95% CI: 51.0%, 57.7%) Being male [AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: (1.35, 2.54), P < 0.001], not having a current habit of substance use [AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: (1.73, 3.26), P < 0.001], having a monthly income of less than 51.31 USD [AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: (0.04, 0.88), P = 0.001]; and not having a prior history of vaccination experience [AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: (0.29, 0.54), P < 0.001] were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that the proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among residents of Dire Dawa Administration, Eastern Ethiopia, was 54.4%. Factors like being male and not having a current habit of substance use were positively associated, whereas having a monthly income of less than 51.31 USD and not having a prior history of vaccination experience were negatively associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Health information dissemination and economic empowerment are crucial to improving COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the community. This study provides valuable data for policymakers to plan early vaccination programs and tackle the challenges identified in the study.

Dynamic evolution of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy over 2021-2023 among Chinese population: Repeated nationwide cross-sectional study.

Globally, the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine had been faced with a significant barrier in the form of vaccine hesitancy. This study adopts a multi-stage perspective to explore the prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, focusing on their dynamic evolutionary features. Guided by the integrated framework of the 3Cs model (complacency, confidence, and convenience) and the EAH model (environmental, agent, and host), this study conducted three repeated national cross-sectional surveys. These surveys carried out from July 2021 to February 2023 across mainland China, targeted individuals aged 18 and older. They were strategically timed to coincide with three critical vaccination phases: universal coverage (stage 1), partial coverage (stage 2), and key population coverage (stage 3). From 2021 to 2023, the surveys examined sample sizes of 29 925, 6659, and 5407, respectively. The COVID-19 vaccine hesitation rates increased from 8.39% in 2021 to 29.72% in 2023. Urban residency, chronic condition, and low trust in vaccine developer contributed to significant COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy across the pandemic. Negative correlations between the intensity of vaccination policies and vaccine hesitancy, and positive correlations between vaccine hesitancy and long COVID, were confirmed. This study provides insights for designing future effective vaccination programs for emerging vaccine-preventable infectious X diseases.

Adverse Effects Related to Paediatric Influenza Vaccination and Its Influence on Vaccination Acceptability. The FLUTETRA Study: A Survey Conducted in the Region of Murcia, Spain.

BACKGROUND: During the 2022-23 season, three autonomous communities recommended influenza vaccination for all children between 6 and 59 months. The objective is to evaluate the adverse effects associated with the administered influenza vaccines in the Region of Murcia, as well as their influence on the recommendation of the same to acquaintances or repetition in future seasons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study with an online questionnaire sent to the parents of vaccinated minors of 6-23 months of age receiving inactivated intramuscular vaccine (IIV) or 24-59 months of age receiving live-attenuated intranasal vaccine (LAIV). RESULTS: Among 4971 surveys received, the most common adverse effect for LAIV and IIV was runny nose (40.90%) and local pain (31.94%), respectively. Sixty percent of adverse effects lasted ≤ 1 day, and around 10% lasted ≥ 3 days. The interference of adverse effects with the minor's daily life was very infrequent (3.32%), as was the need for visiting the medical office (2.68%). Overall, 96.44% of parents would recommend influenza vaccination to friends and relatives after the experience. Only 3.56% would not recommend it, while 1.68% would not vaccinate their child against influenza again. The most frequently cited reason being adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows the safety of influenza vaccines. Despite the low impact of adverse effects, they influence some parents in their intention to continue vaccinating or recommending it to acquaintances, which remarks the need to reinforce the information given to parents so that this fact does not influence decision-making.

Maternal skepticism regarding children's vaccination in Jordan: Investigating the knowledge, attitude, and adherence.

Vaccination is critical to every responsible healthcare system, yielding several health and economic benefits. However, skepticism is a major challenge to vaccination adherence among parents globally. Mothers are primary decision-makers on children's vaccination; therefore, this study aims to assess maternal knowledge, attitudes, and adherence to children's routine vaccination in Jordan, identify the main sources of related information, and explore the awareness and hesitancy related to elective vaccination, which is not incorporated into the national vaccination program (e.g., varicella, flu, meningitis, and meningococcal vaccines). A descriptive, cross-sectional design was conducted to collect data from 533 Jordanian mothers between August and November 2023. Participant mothers completed an online self-administered questionnaire comprising demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and adherence to children's vaccination. The surveyed mothers in general exhibited high levels of knowledge, attitudes, and adherence concerning children's vaccination and a relatively moderate level of adherence concerning elective vaccines. The mothers' perspectives of reluctance towards elective vaccines were explored. The primary healthcare center and physicians were the most prevalent sources of mothers' vaccine-related information. Future efforts should implement tailored health education campaigns that address specific knowledge gaps, such as misconceptions about contraindications and side effects, promote awareness about elective vaccines, and engage healthcare providers to facilitate informed decision-making among Jordanian mothers and improve children's vaccination coverage.

Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and its predictors among diabetic patients on follow-up at public hospitals in Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Understanding and addressing the concerns of vaccine-hesitant individuals, including those with chronic diseases, is key to increasing vaccine acceptance and uptake. However, in Ethiopia, there is limited evidence on the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and predictor variables among diabetic patients. Hence, the study aimed to assess Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Predictor variables among Diabetic Patients on Follow-Up at Public Hospitals in Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia. METHOD: Facility based cross sectional study was conducted among 422 diabetic patients attending public hospitals at Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia between January, to February, 2023. Study participants were recruited by systematic random sampling. The data were collected interviewee administered pre-tested structured survey questioner. The collected data were entered and cleaned using Epi-Data software 4.6 version. The cleaned data were analyzed using SPSS. 25.0 Statical software. Descriptive statistics like frequency, mean and percentage, and binary logistic regression was applied to identify independent predictors of Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and association between variables were declared at p-value of 0.05. RESULT: The overall magnitude of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 15.2% (95% CI: 11.6-18.7). The top three listed reasons for the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were: negative information about the vaccine (32.90%), lack of enough information (21.80%), and vaccine safety concern (19.40%). The hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccination uptake among diabetes patients was independently influenced by age between 40-49 (Adjusted Odd Ratio [AOR] = 4.52(1.04-19.66)), having vaccine awareness (AOR = 0.029(0.001-0.86)), having a great deal of trust on vaccine development (AOR = 0.028(0.002-0.52)), and a fear amount trust (AOR = 0.05(0.003-0.79)) on the vaccine preparation, vaccinated for COVID-19 (AOR = 0.13(0.04-0.51)), perceived exposure to COVID-19 infection after having the vaccine as strongly agree/agree (AOR = 0.03(0.01-0.17))and neither agree nor disagree (AOR = 0.07(0.02-0.30)). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among diabetic patients was relatively low. The identified independent predictors were age, vaccine awareness, COVID-19 vaccination history, awareness on vaccine preparation and exposure status to COVID-19 infection. The relevant agency should focus on efforts to translating these high levels of vaccine acceptance into actual uptake, through targeting identifying predictor variables and vaccine availability for a high-risk diabetes patient.

Top 100 cited research on COVID-19 vaccines: A bibliometric analysis and evidence mapping.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 has seriously affected the whole society, and vaccines were the most effective means to contain the epidemic. This paper aims to determine the top 100 articles cited most frequently in COVID-19 vaccines and to analyze the research status and hot spots in this field through bibliometrics, to provide a reference for future research. We conducted a comprehensive search of the Web of Science Core Collection database on November 29, 2023, and identified the top 100 articles by ranking them from highest to lowest citation frequency. In addition, we analyzed the year of publication, citation, author, country, institution, journal, and keywords with Microsoft Excel 2019 and VOSviewer 1.6.18. Research focused on vaccine immunogenicity and safety, vaccine hesitancy, and vaccination intention.

Comparing COVID-19 vaccination coverage, adverse reactions and impact of social determinants of health on vaccine hesitancy in ADRD/MCI and non-ADRD/MCI population: protocol for a retrospective cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for vulnerable people with underlying chronic conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These individuals face unique challenges, including higher risk of COVID-19, difficulties in adopting preventive behaviours and vaccine hesitancy due to concerns about adverse reactions. Therefore, efforts to promote vaccination, including boosters tailored to the currently circulating virus, are essential for people with ADRD/MCI. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study protocol is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 vaccination coverage and adverse reactions among individuals with ADRD/MCI in comparison to those without ADRD/MCI. Additionally, the proposed study aims to investigate the impact of social determinants of health on COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine hesitancy in individuals with ADRD/MCI. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A retrospective cross-sectional study will be conducted utilising data from the All of Us (AoU) Researcher Workbench. Relevant data fields are extracted from sources including demographic information, COVID-19 Vaccine Survey, Basic Survey, Health Access & Utilization, Social Determinants of Health, and Electronic Health Record (EHR) data. Data on vaccination, adverse reactions and vaccine hesitancy will be collected through COVID-19 vaccine survey questionnaires. Propensity score matching and binary logistic regression will be applied to assess the vaccination rates and vaccine hesitancy, while controlling for demographic characteristics and social determinants of health factors. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study protocol received approval from the Institutional Review Board at Florida State University (STUDY00004571). Results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences.

"You can push these conversations, but don't push your patient away": healthcare learner perspectives on virtual simulation games as an educational approach to address vaccine hesitancy.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a significant threat to public health. Healthcare providers (HCPs) can address hesitancy during routine patient conversations; however, few multidisciplinary education tools exist for HCPs to learn to engage in vaccine discussion especially considering new vaccine technologies such as mRNA vaccines. The objectives of this study were to explore HCP learners' experiences with COVID-19 vaccine communication, and qualitatively evaluate an online learning module composed of virtual simulation games (VSGs) which utilize the PrOTCT Framework for HCP vaccine communication. Methods: Three virtual focus groups were conducted from December 2022 to January 2023 with Canadian healthcare learners in nursing (N = 6), pharmacy (N = 9), and medicine (N = 7) who participated in a larger study measuring the effectiveness of the VSGs. Using a pragmatic approach, a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo to identify themes and subthemes. Results: A total of 22 HCP learners participated in this study and three key themes were identified. Across all three disciplines, participants expressed that (1) their prior education lacked training on how to hold vaccine conversations, resulting in uncomfortable personal experiences with patients; (2) the VSGs increased their confidence in holding vaccine conversations by providing novel tools and skills; and (3) participants also provided feedback to improve the VSGs which was implemented and supported the dissemination to all HCP professions. Conclusion: Although HCPs are a trusted source of vaccine information, participants in this study felt they received little training on how to engage in challenging conversations regarding COVID-19 vaccines. The introduction of the PrOTCT Framework and presumptive statements provided novel strategies for HCP to initiate vaccine conversations, especially considering new vaccine technologies and participants appreciated the emphasis on coping strategies and resilience. It is essential that HCP are provided both opportunities to practice managing these conversations, and tools and skills to succeed at an early point in their careers to prepare them for future roles in vaccine advocacy, delivery, and promotion.

Impact of epidemic prevention policies on public vaccination willingness: empirical research in China.

Background: The sudden emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 posed an enormous threat to public health. Vaccination is currently recognized as the most cost-effective preventive and control measure against the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide and is the key to constructing a line of defense against the virus, while the epidemic prevention policies adopted by governments have an important impact on the protective behavior of the public. The purpose of this study is to analyze the mechanism by which the stringency of epidemic prevention policies affects public vaccination willingness and to explore the mediating effect of public risk perception. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 387 adults from December 2022 to June 2023 in China. A multiple linear regression model was used to explore the impact of epidemic prevention policy stringency on public vaccination willingness, and a hierarchical regression model was used to test the mediating effect of public risk perception. Results: Our results showed that public vaccination willingness increased by approximately 45.5% for every one-unit increase in the stringency of the epidemic prevention policies, which shows that the stringency of epidemic prevention policies has a significant positive influence on public vaccination willingness. In addition, public risk perception increased by approximately 38.9% during the period of stringent government policies on epidemic prevention. For every one-unit increase in risk perception, public vaccination willingness increased by approximately 40.9%, and the relationship between the stringency of epidemic prevention policies and public vaccination willingness was partially mediated by risk perception. Conclusion: The stricter the epidemic prevention policies, the stronger the public vaccination willingness; risk perception plays a mediating effect between the stringency of epidemic prevention policies and public vaccination willingness. This finding is particularly important for exploring and analyzing the factors influencing public vaccination willingness and for improving public health.

Effect of vaccine hesitancy on female college students' willingness to receive the HPV vaccine in China: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the influencing factors of vaccine hesitancy on HPV vaccination willingness of female college students in order to promote the promotion of HPV vaccine in female college student population. METHODS: From September-October 2022, a convenience sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among freshman female students from four higher vocational colleges in Henan Province, China. The survey comprised a general information questionnaire, as well as inquiries regarding vaccine hesitancy and willingness to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. In PSM analyses, vaccine-hesitant students were matched with non-vaccine-hesitant students at a 1:1 ratio; subsequently, both univariate and multivariatble logistic regression analyses were applied to assess the impact of vaccine hesitancy on female university students' willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. RESULTS: The results revealed a vaccine hesitancy rate of 44.75% among female university students, with 82.9% expressing willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. The results of the multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis indicated vaccine hesitancy is a risk factor for HPV vaccination intentions among female university students [OR = 4.38, 95% CI (2.74, 6.99), P < 0.001]. Furthermore, the field of study (P = 0.01) and independently seeking information about the HPV vaccine (P = 0.04) were identified as factors influencing female university students' willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Non-vaccine-hesitant students were more likely to be willing to receive the HPV vaccine than vaccine-hesitant students. Healthcare providers and educators should focus on vaccine attitudes among female college students to reduce vaccine hesitancy and enhance community education on cervical cancer, HPV infection and prevention through multichannel campaigns.

Addressing the re-emergence and resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in Africa: A health equity perspective.

Vaccination is one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, with a tremendous impact in the prevention and control of diseases. However, the recent reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases calls for a need to evaluate current vaccination practices and disparities in vaccination between high-income countries and low-and-middle-income countries. There are massive deficits in vaccine availability and coverage in resource-constrained settings. Therefore, this perspective seeks to highlight the reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases in Africa within the lens of health equity and offer recommendations on how the continent should be prepared to deal with the myriad of its health systems challenges. Among the notable factors contributing to the reemergence, stand health inequities affecting vaccine availability and the dynamic vaccine hesitancy. Strengthening health systems and addressing health inequities could prove useful in halting the reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Unmasking vaccine hesitancy and refusal: a deep dive into Anti-vaxxer perspectives on COVID-19 in Spain.

BACKGROUND: At the time of the emergence of COVID-19, denialist and anti-vaccine groups have also emerged and are shaking public confidence in vaccination. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using online focus groups. Participants had not received any doses of vaccination against the disease. A total of five focus group sessions were conducted with 28 participants. They were recruited by snowball sampling and by convenience sampling. RESULTS: The two major topics mentioned by the participants were adverse effects and information. The adverse effects described were severe and included sudden death. In the case of information, participants reported: (1) consultation of websites on which scientists posted anti-vaccination content; and (2) distrust. CONCLUSIONS: At a time when anti-vaccine groups pose a major challenge to public health in general, and to COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in particular, this study is a first step towards gaining deeper insight into the factors that lead to COVID-19 vaccine refusal.

Socioeconomic determinants and reasons for non-acceptance to vaccination recommendations during the 3rd - 5th waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary.

BACKGROUND: In Hungary, although six types of vaccines were widely available, the percentage of people receiving the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination remained below the EU average. This paper investigates the reasons for Hungary's lower vaccination coverage by exploring changing attitudes towards vaccination, socio-demographic determinants, and individual reasons for non-acceptance during the 3rd - 5th pandemic waves of COVID-19. METHODS: The study's empirical analysis is based on representative surveys conducted in Hungary between February 19, 2021, and June 30, 2022. The study used a total of 17 surveys, each with a sample size of at least 1000 respondents. Binomial logistic regression models were used to investigate which socio-demographic characteristics are most likely to influence vaccine hesitancy in Hungary. The study analysed 2506 open-ended responses to identify reasons for vaccine non-acceptance. The responses were categorised into four main categories and 13 sub-categories. RESULTS: Between the third and fifth wave of the pandemic, attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination have significantly changed. Although the proportion of vaccinated individuals has increased steadily, the percentage of individuals who reported not accepting the vaccine has remained almost unchanged. Socio-demographic characteristics were an important determinant of the observed vaccine hesitancy, although they remained relatively stable over time. Individuals in younger age groups and those with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to decline vaccination, while those living in the capital city were the least likely. A significant reason behind vaccine refusal can undoubtedly be identified as lack of trust (specifically distrust in science), facing an information barrier and the perception of low personal risk. CONCLUSION: Although compulsory childhood vaccination coverage is particularly high in Hungary, voluntary adult vaccines, such as the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, are less well accepted. Vaccine acceptance is heavily affected by the social-demographic characteristics of people. Mistrust and hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccines, if not well managed, can easily affect people's opinion and acceptance of other vaccines as well. Identifying and understanding the complexity of how vaccine hesitancy evolved during the pandemic can help to understand and halt the decline in both COVID-19 and general vaccine confidence by developing targeted public health programs to address these issues.