Views and perceptions of the public toward COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Numerous surveys studied individuals' decision to receive COVID-19 vaccine but the motives behind accepting or refusing COVID-19 vaccines are not yet fully understood. We aimed to more qualitatively explore the views and perceptions toward COVID-19 vaccines in Saudi Arabia to provide recommendations to mitigate the vaccine hesitancy issue. Methods: Open-ended interviews were conducted between October 2021-January 2022. The interview guide included questions about beliefs in vaccine efficacy and safety, and previous vaccination history. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and the content was analyzed using thematic analysis. Nineteen participants were interviewed. Results: All of the interviewees were vaccine acceptors; however, three participants were hesitant as they felt they were forced to receive it. Several themes emerged as the reasons to accept or refuse the vaccine. The key reasons behind vaccine acceptance were the sense of obligation to fulfill a governmental command, trust in the government decisions, vaccine availability, and the impact of family/friends. The main reason behind vaccine hesitancy was doubts regarding vaccine efficacy and safety and that vaccines were pre-invented, and the pandemic is made-up. Participants' sources of information included social media, official authorities, and family/friends. Conclusion: Findings from this study show that the convenience of receiving the vaccine, the abundance of credible information from the Saudi authorities, and the positive influence of family/friends were among the major factors that encouraged the public in Saudi Arabia to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Such results may inform future policies regarding encouraging the public to receive vaccines in cases of pandemic.

Exploring the reasons behind low COVID-19 vaccination coverage in ethnic minorities-A qualitative study among Arabic-speaking public in Denmark.

AIMS: In Denmark, COVID-19 infection rates have been higher, and vaccination coverage has been lower in areas with many residents from ethnic minority backgrounds. This study aimed to explore COVID-19 vaccination perceptions among Arabic-speaking minorities in Denmark. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 individuals, varying in age, gender, education, employment, health, vaccination status, and the Arabic-speaking country of origin, were recruited and interviewed in Arabic. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and analyzed using directed thematic analysis. RESULTS: Most interviewees had some knowledge about how vaccines work to prevent infections; however, a wide spectrum of opinions about the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination policies in Denmark emerged. COVID-19 vaccination issues were extensively discussed in Arabic-speaking communities, but consensus was rarely reached. Many participants felt confused and only took vaccines for practical considerations, such as travel. Due to language barriers, some participants experienced difficulties in understanding vaccination-related information in electronic invitations from the health authorities and at vaccination centers, with family members often stepping in to provide translations. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic efforts to actively disseminate translated COVID-19 vaccination information are needed to support ethnic minority individuals in making informed decisions.