Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 vaccination in Kazakhstan: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There are several COVID-19 vaccines available and many are under different stages of development. However, vaccine hesitancy, including vaccination delays and refusals, represents a major hurdle for achieving herd immunity. The current study aims to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the associated factors.Method: This is a cross-sectional survey-based study that was conducted between Aug and Nov 2020.Results: There were 417 respondents with nearly 61% females, more than 65% fall between the ages of 18 and 29 years, three-quarters holding a university degree, with more than 63% identified as single, and those who have no children represented more than 67% of the respondents. More than 36% of the respondents considered themselves COVID-19 vaccine hesitant. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy appeared to be high among female respondents (p = .02), aged 30 years old and above (p < .001), widowed or divorced (p < .001) and those who have a child (p < .001). One of the most vaccine hesitancy influencing factors is the vaccines' country of origin.Conclusion: There appears to be a high COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the participants with several associated factors. The current finding provides a knowledge base for policymakers for communication improvement and confidence-building in relation to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination.

Vaccine adherence: the rate of hesitancy toward childhood immunization in Kazakhstan.

OBJECTIVES: Vaccines are considered one of the most important inventions of human history that enabled the containment of several infectious diseases. However, there is a global decrease in the rate of vaccination and an increase in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The aims of the current study are to determine childhood vaccine hesitancy and its influencing factors in Kazakhstan. METHODS: This cross sectional online-based study was conducted between Sep until Nov of 2019. RESULTS: A total of 387 participants of which 70% were females with the majority under the age of 40 years and having one child or more. More than a third (35%) of the participants identified themselves as vaccine hesitant, 71% believed that vaccines are effective, and 65% believed that vaccines are good. Vaccine source of information appears to be an influential factor as those who receive information from healthcare providers have no concerns about vaccination. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to identify factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in Kazakhstan. There is a high rate of vaccine hesitancy and low rate of vaccine knowledge identified in the participant group. Healthcare providers have a unique position in improving parents' vaccine knowledge and acceptance.