BACKGROUND

Vaccine hesitancy among senior citizens remains common in many countries. This was significantly observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Dauis, Bohol, Philippines. However, there is limited research on the factors influencing this hesitancy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the determinants associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among senior citizens in the municipality of Dauis, Bohol.

METHODS

This case-control study employed a modified survey questionnaire adapted from relevant literatures. A total of 497 registered senior citizens participated, of whom 331 were vaccinated against COVID-19 and 166 were unvaccinated. The study determined the socio-demographic factors, health status, and perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine safety. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with vaccine hesitancy.

RESULTS

The study found that respondents aged 84 and older were significantly more likely to exhibit vaccine hesitancy (p = 0.018, OR = 7.817). In contrast, factors associated with a reduced likelihood of hesitancy included having tertiary education (p = 0.012, OR = 0.239), a low income (p = 0.042, OR = 0.138), receiving an annual flu vaccine (p = 0.020, OR = 0.328), and perceiving the COVID-19 vaccine as safe (p = 0.000, OR = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

Age is a significant determinant of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Educational attainment, monthly income, receipt of annual influenza vaccine and perception on vaccine safety were found to be influential determinants. These findings offer valuable insights for evidence-based interventions to enhance vaccine acceptance to this vulnerable population.

Human ; Vaccination Hesitancy ; Covid-19 ; Pandemics ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND

A community survey on the immunization status of residents in Barangay Pinag-Isang Palad, Old Balara, Quezon City, reflected a low immunization rate of 8% for influenza and 6% for pneumococcal vaccines. Exploring ways to increase awareness on vaccination is important to improve the delivery of primary prevention.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of infomercials versus infographics in promoting influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among residents of Barangay Pinag-Isang Palad.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study design using systematic sampling where one group of respondents was assigned to the infomercial intervention, and the other group to the infographics intervention. Each participant completed a self-administered 25-item questionnaire assessing perceived barriers to influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare within group changes in scores pre- and post-intervention. Mann-Whitney test was used to determine between group differences in post-intervention scores.

RESULTS

A total of 70 respondents representing 70 households in the barangay participated in the study. Respondents were mostly from the 26-35 age group, females with high school education in the service industry, with < P23,381 average monthly income, and good self-reported health status. Comparison of the pre- and post-intervention mean scores of both groups (infomercial and infographics), showed statistically significant change in post-intervention mean scores from baseline. However, comparison of the post-intervention mean scores between groups was not statistically significant. Identified barriers in both groups were challenges in affordability and accessibility of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the InfoVax Strategy, using infomercials and infographics, can be effective tools in improving perceptions on influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among residents of Barangay Pinag-Isang Palad. The findings of this study can be applied to communities having similar characteristics. Healthcare providers may improve perceptions on vaccination and subsequent uptake by distributing infographics or playing infomercials aside from public health lectures. Vaccination will help prevent loss of earnings and incrased medication consumption. The local health unit needs to evaluate and address the identified barriers of affordability and accessibility.

Vaccination Promotion ; Vaccination Hesitancy ; Influenza Vaccines ; Pneumococcal Vaccines

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global health, especially among older adults at higher risk for severe illness. Despite the benefits of vaccination, booster vaccine hesitancy posed a barrier to optimal protection in the elderly population.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 booster vaccine hesitancy among geriatric patients at the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic of Region 1 Medical Center.

METHODS

An analytic, cross-sectional study was conducted with 183 geriatric patients aged 60 and above who had received the primary COVID-19 vaccine series. Data were collected using a 25-item questionnaire addressing sociodemographic information, medical history, COVID-19 knowledge, and vaccine attitudes. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, identified factors influencing booster vaccine hesitancy.

RESULTS

The majority of participants were between the ages of 60-69 (66.7%, n=122) and predominantly female (69.4%, n=127). High hesitancy rates were notably observed among elderly females (75.6%), individuals with lower educational attainment (79.7%), and single individuals (93.3%). Other significant factors included hypertension (76.5%) and the absence of prior influenza (81.5%) or pneumococcal (75.9%) vaccinations.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the critical need for targeted educational efforts to mitigate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy within specific subgroups, particularly elderly females, those with lower education levels, and individuals with certain health conditions. By implementing personalized outreach and emphasizing the advantages of vaccination, stakeholders can enhance vaccine uptake and improve health outcomes for this vulnerable segment of the population.

Human ; Vaccination Hesitancy ; Public Health ; Covid-19 ; Vaccines

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a serious impact on health all over the world. Cancer patient, whose immunity is often compromised, faces a huge challenge. Currently, some COVID-19 vaccines are being developed and applied on general population; however, whether cancer patients should take COVID-19 vaccine remains unknown. Our study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude, acceptance, and predictors of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among cancer patients in Eastern China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Eastern China from June 17th to September 3rd, 2021. Patients were selected using a convenience sampling method. A self-report questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine, attitude towards the vaccine and acceptance of the vaccine; following a review of similar studies previously published in the scientific literature, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. RESULTS: A total of 2158 cancer patients were enrolled in this study. The rate of vaccine hesitancy was 24.05% (519/2158); further, among the participants of vaccine acceptance, 767 had taken COVID-19 vaccine (35.54%), and 872 were willing to get vaccinated (40.01%). A total of 24 variables including demographic characteristics, clinical status of cancer, impact of COVID-19 pandemic on study participants, patients' knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine, and attitude towards the vaccine, had significant differences between the "vaccine hesitancy" population and "vaccine acceptance" population. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that parameters including alcohol consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 1.849; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.375-2.488; P-reference [P-Ref] < 0.001 vs non-drinkers), income impacted by COVID-19 pandemic (OR = 1.930, 2.037 and 2.688 for mild, moderate, and severe impact, respectively; all P-Ref < 0.01 vs no impact), knowledge of how the vaccine was developed (OR = 1.616; 95% CI: 1.126-2.318; P-Ref = 0.009 vs unknown), believing in the safety of the vaccine (OR = 1.502; 95% CI: 1.024-2.203; P-Ref = 0.038 vs denying the safety of vaccine), willingness to pay for the vaccine (OR = 3.042; 95% CI: 2.376-3.894; P-Ref < 0.001 vs unwilling), and willingness to recommend families and friends to get vaccinated (OR = 2.744; 95% CI: 1.759-4.280; P-Ref < 0.001 vs do not recommend) were contributors to vaccine acceptance. While such as being retired (OR = 0.586; 95% CI: 0.438-0.784; P-Ref < 0.001 vs unemployed), undergoing multiple therapies of cancer (OR = 0.408; 95% CI: 0.221-0.753; P-Ref = 0.004 vs no ongoing treatment), and worrying that the vaccine might deteriorate the prognosis of cancer (OR = 0.393; 95% CI: 0.307-0.504; P-Ref < 0.001 vs might not) were contributors to vaccine hesitancy. CONCLUSION This study provided preliminary estimates of the rates of vaccine acceptance and vaccine hesitancy among cancer patients in Eastern China. The intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was impacted by factors such as patient occupation, alcohol consumption, and some parts of knowledge about and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine. It is recommended to develop individualized vaccination plans that meet the healthcare needs of cancer patients.
COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Intention ; Neoplasms ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Vaccination Hesitancy