Investigation of Turkish Community Vaccine Hesitancy and Reasons During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A descriptive Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Vaccine hesitancy and refusal are becoming increasingly common. During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine refusal and vaccine hesitancy had a negative impact on vaccination campaigns in Turkey. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the vaccine hesitancy and its reasons in Turkish society during the pandemic. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted online between October 2021 and January 2022 with 502 adult individuals living in Turkey who met the inclusion criteria. Results: It was determined that %54.9 of the participants had hesitantly vaccinated, and %7.2 refused the vaccine. The mean scores on the Vaccıne Hesıtancy Scale in Pandemıcs of those who refused the vaccine (33.916±7.00) were substantially higher than those who experienced vaccine hesitancy (28.818±4.78) and those who did not (24.389±4.51) (p<0.05). It was determined that individuals aged 65 and over were vaccinated without any hesitation compared to younger participants, and the rates of vaccine rejection and refusal to be vaccinated by women, university graduates and those without chronic disease were found to be significantly higher (p<0.05). Conclusion: During the Covid-19 pandemic, individuals exhibiting vaccine hesitancy and rejection, as well as the risk factors that contribute to these circumstances, should be assessed on a regular basis. It is predicted that offering community the training by qualified nurses on the factors that lead to vaccine hesitancy and refusal will aid in increasing immunization rates and establishing community immunity in Turkish society.