COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in a Developing Country: Prevalence, Explanatory Factors and Implications for the Future

Objectives Vaccine hesitancy is a public health challenge highlighted during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study sought to determine prevalence and explanatory factors leading to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Jamaican population to inform vaccination strategies. Study design Exploratory cross-sectional study. Methods An exploratory survey was distributed electronically between September and October 2021, to gather information on COVID-19 vaccination behaviour and beliefs among the Jamaican population. Data were expressed as frequencies and analysed using Chi-square followed by multivariate logistic regressions. Significant analyses were determined at p<0.05. Results Of the 678 eligible responses, most were females (71.5%, n=485), between ages 18-45 years (68.2%, n=462), had tertiary education (83.4%, n=564) and were employed (73.4%, n=498), with 10.6% (n=44) being healthcare workers. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was present in 29.8% (n=202) of the survey population, mainly because of safety and efficacy concerns and a general lack of reliable information about the vaccines. The likelihood of hesitancy increased amongst respondents under 36 years (OR 6.8, 95% CI 3.6, 12.9), those who delayed initial acceptance of vaccines (OR 2.7, 95%CI 2.3, 3.1);parents for their children and with long waits at vaccination centres. Likelihood of hesitancy decreased for respondents over 36 years (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.8, 7.8) and with vaccine support from pastors/religious leaders (OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.1, 2.4). Conclusions Vaccine hesitancy was more prevalent in younger respondents who were never exposed to the effects of vaccine-preventable diseases. Religious leaders had more influence than healthcare workers to increase vaccine uptake.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a developing country: prevalence, explanatory factors and implications for the future.

OBJECTIVES: Vaccine hesitancy is a public health challenge highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to determine the prevalence and explanatory factors leading to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Jamaican population to inform vaccination strategies. STUDY DESIGN: This was an exploratory cross-sectional study. METHODS: An exploratory survey was distributed electronically between September and October 2021 to gather information on COVID-19 vaccination behaviour and beliefs among the Jamaican population. Data were expressed as frequencies and analysed using Chi-squared followed by multivariate logistic regressions. Significant analyses were determined at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 678 eligible responses, most were females (71.5%, n = 485), between ages 18-45 years (68.2%, n = 462), had tertiary education (83.4%, n = 564) and were employed (73.4%, n = 498), with 10.6% (n = 44) being healthcare workers. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was present in 29.8% (n = 202) of the survey population, mainly because of safety and efficacy concerns and a general lack of reliable information about the vaccines. The likelihood of hesitancy increased amongst respondents under 36 years (odds ratio [OR] 6.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6, 12.9), those who delayed initial acceptance of vaccines (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.3, 3.1); parents for their children and with long waits at vaccination centres. Likelihood of hesitancy decreased for respondents over 36 years (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.8, 7.8) and with vaccine support from pastors/religious leaders (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1, 2.4). CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine hesitancy was more prevalent in younger respondents who were never exposed to the effects of vaccine-preventable diseases. Religious leaders had more influence than healthcare workers to increase vaccine uptake.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the Jamaican Populace: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Objective: To assess the prevalence and contributing factors towards COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Jamaican population. Method(s): Following ethical approval, an exploratory online survey was distributed electronically to derive information on COVID-19 immunization behaviour and beliefs. Data were expressed as frequencies and analysed using Chi-squared followed by multivariate logistic regressions to determine associations and contributions of various factors towards the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Significant associations were determined at p < 0.05. Result(s): Of the 678 respondents assessed, 71.5% were females, 68.2% between ages 18-45 years, 83.2% obtained tertiary education and 61.2% were employed, with 10.6% being healthcare workers. Most were from urban communities (69.5%) in Kingston & St. Andrew (42.1%) and St. Catherine (31.3%). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was present in 29.8% of the population but the likelihood doubled with age <36 years (OR: 1.9 (95% CI: 3.6, 12.9)) and tripled in those who initially delayed acceptance of the vaccine (OR: 2.7 (95% CI: 12.3, 3.1)). Even with acceptance of the vaccine, parents were 3 times more likely to delay the vaccine for their child (OR: 2.6 (95% CI: 1.2, 5.3). Likelihood of hesitancy decreased by >6 with belief that the vaccine was safe (OR: 6.2 (95% CI: 4.8, 7.8)), for ages = 56 years (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.8, 7.8), healthcare workers, higher education, and receipt of other recommended vaccines. Conclusion(s): Prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 29.8%, with increased odds amongst respondents younger than 36 years, with parenthood and delayed initial vaccine acceptance. Hesitancy decreased for persons older than 36 years, for healthcare workers and with higher education and belief that the vaccine was safe.