Factors Affecting Covid-19 Vaccination Intent Among Iranians: COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance

Abstract

Purpose: It is critical to understand the attitude, beliefs, and intent of the public toward COVID-19 vaccination to ensure widespread uptake once a safe and effective vaccine is available.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate COVID-19 vaccination intent and associated factors based on the Health Belief Model. The survey was distributed to a convenience sample of Iranian WhatsApp and Telegram online communities in August 2020.

Results: Among the 4,933 respondents, 24.7% were healthcare workers, and 64.2% intended to accept COVID-19 vaccination. The adjusted odds (aOR) of COVID-19 vaccination intent was higher for individuals with greater exposure to social norms supportive of COVID-19 vaccination (aOR=3.07, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=2.71, 3.47) and higher perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination (aOR=2.9, 95% CI=2.49, 3.38). The adjusted odds of vaccination intent were lower for individuals with greater COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns (aOR=0.28, 95%CI=0.25, 0.31). Lower vaccination intent was also associated with increasing age ((aOR=0.99, 95% CI= 0.98, 0.999), female sex (aOR=0.76, 95% CI= 0.65, 0.88), and working in the healthcare field (aOR=0.75, 95% CI= 0.63, 0.9).

Conclusions: The odds of COVID-19 vaccination intent were three or more times greater among those with a greater belief in COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, lower concerns about vaccine safety, and greater exposure to cues to vaccinate, including from doctors. This last finding is concerning since working in the healthcare field was associated with lower odds of vaccination intent.

Keywords: vaccination; knowledge, attitudes and beliefs; COVID-19 vaccine; social norms