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

ABSTRACT

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.