COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the public diagnosed with the flu-like syndrome

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among people diagnosed with flu-like illness. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a random sample consisting of 454 participants. Data were collected from March to August 2020, in two stages in the first, data available in the information systems were collected, using an instrument adapted from the investigation form of flu-like illness suspected by COVID-19, and in the second stage, primary data was collected from the participant through a telephone call. For the bivariate analysis, Pearson's chi-square test was performed (chi(2)).To explain the joint effect of predictor variables on the dependent variable, Multiple Logistics Regression (MRL) with adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) was used. Results: Participants most willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine are those who learned about it on social media (aOR = 4.56, 95% CI 1.77-11.72) and on newspapers and TV (aOR =2.74. 95%CI= 1.07-7.04). Conclusion: Having information about the vaccine, whether through social networks or newspapers and TV, increased the predisposition to take it. Thus, it is necessary to intensify effective information about the benefits of vaccines that will be approved by the Brazilian National Health Regulatory Agency (Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria - ANVISA).