ABSTRACT
This cross-sectional study, conducted in Naples (Italy) between 16 November and 6 December 2021, explored the willingness to receive the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine among a random sample selected from the list of those who had completed a primary vaccination series at the immunization center of a teaching hospital in Naples and the associated factors. Females had a significantly higher perceived risk of getting the SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas those not-having a cohabitant were less worried. 85.7% were willing to receive the booster dose. Those older respondents who perceived a better health status after the primary vaccination series, who have friends/family members who were diagnosed with COVID-19, who had received information from official government organizations, and those who did not need information would be willing to get the booster dose. 24.7% was hesitant with a Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) score ≥ 25. Respondents who self-rated a lower health status after the primary vaccination series, who did not have friends/family members who were diagnosed with COVID-19, who had not received information from official government organizations, and who needed information were hesitant. Information and communication regarding the benefits and efficacy of the booster dose are needed in order to control the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Understanding parents' hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccination for their children is useful. METHODS: A self-administered online survey was conducted among 394 parents with at least one child aged 12-18 years in Italy. RESULTS: The mean perceived risk that their child can be infected by the SARS-CoV-2, measured on a 10-point Likert-type scale, was 7.7 and it was higher if at least one parent/partner cohabitant have had COVID-19, in those who believed that COVID-19 is a serious illness, and in those who had not vaccinated their child. 82.1% respondents were willing to vaccinate their child and this was more likely among those who believed that this vaccine is useful and who did not need additional information. 12.4% were, according to the 5-item Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines Survey (PACV-5) score, high-hesitant toward anti-COVID-19 vaccination. Respondents not graduated, those who did not believe that this vaccination was useful, those who did not get this vaccine, those who did not obtain information from physicians, and those who needed additional information were more likely to be high-hesitant. CONCLUSIONS: Communication and public health interventions must be intensified to enhance the attitude and to help parents in deciding on COVID-19 vaccination of their children.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Adolescent , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Parents , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccination , Vaccination HesitancyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Understanding healthcare workers (HCWs) willingness to receive a future vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be useful. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, conducted in Italy from September 14th to November 30th, 2020, among 811 HCWs who undergo a voluntary antibody-testing for anti-SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: The perceived risk level of developing COVID-19, measured on a Likert-type scale ranging from 1 to 10, was 6.6 and it was higher among females, older HCWs, and in those who agreed that COVID-19 is a severe disease. Married/cohabitant, not physicians, and those who needed additional information regarding the vaccination against COVID-19 were more likely to be concerned that COVID-19 vaccination might not be safe. Males, physicians, those who did not have had any symptom compatible with COVID-19, those who agreed that COVID-19 is a severe disease, those who perceived to be at higher risk of developing COVID-19, those who were not concerned about the vaccine's safety, and those who had received information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination from scientific journals expressed willingness to receive vaccination against COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Communication and education targeted to groups with lowest willingness are needed to raise awareness regarding the safety and benefits of the vaccination and to improve vaccine uptake.