Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies in the United States have shown that between 56 to 74% are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A significant portion of the population should be vaccinated to avoid severe illness and prevent unnecessary deaths. We examined correlates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a representative sample of adults residing in Ohio.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using an online platform (n = 2358). Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and multivariable regression analysis were performed.ResultsOverall, 59.1% of the participants indicated COVID-19 vaccine acceptance to be vaccinated. In the multivariable model, the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was lower for younger individuals compared to those 55 years and older. The odds of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were lower for: females compared to males (OR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.47–0.71; P = 0.001), non-Hispanic blacks compared to non-Hispanic whites (OR: 0.49 95% CI: 0.35–0.70; P = 0.001), previously married (OR 0.64 95% CI: 0.49–0.84; P = 0.002) and never been married (OR 0.75 95% CI: 0.59–0.96; P = 0.023) compared to married people, individuals with less than high school (OR 0.21 95% CI: 0.08–0.60; P = 0.003) and high school education (OR: 0.45 95% CI: 0.36–0.55; P < 0.001) compared to those with education beyond high school, and for individuals who had no confidence in the abilities of the state government (OR 0.69 95% CI: 0.53–0.89; P = 0.005) and other world governments to combat COVID-19 (OR 0.67 95% CI: 0.50–0.91; P = 0.009). A one unit increase in knowledge about COVID-19 (OR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.13–1.26; P < 0.001), behavioral adherence (OR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.15–1.37; P < 0.001), perceived susceptibility (OR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03–1.17; P = 0.004), perceived severity (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03–1.16; P = 0.003), and trust in COVID-19 messages from the government scores (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.06–1.10; P < 0.001) were associated with an increase in the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.ConclusionsCOVID-19 vaccine acceptance differed by sociodemographic and other modifiable factors. Findings can inform local public health authorities in the development of effective, context-specific communication strategies to improve vaccination uptake.
Highlights
Recent studies in the United States have shown that between 56 to 74% are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine
The likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was lower for younger individuals compared to those 55 years and older
A one unit increase in knowledge about COVID-19, behavioral adherence, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and trust in COVID-19 messages from the government scores were associated with an increase in the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance
Summary
Recent studies in the United States have shown that between 56 to 74% are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In the United States, three COVID-19 vaccines are currently authorized (as of March 4, 2021) and trials are in progress for two additional vaccines [8] While this is a major public health achievement, it is important for a significant portion of the population to be vaccinated to avoid severe illness and recurrence of COVID-19 and prevent unnecessary deaths. Antivaccine movements in the US and elsewhere have slowed vaccine uptake in many communities, especially in countries where mandatory vaccination is not the law or infeasible because of political and other considerations [9,10,11,12,13] These movements use false or misleading information to discourage individuals from getting vaccinated and encourage them to violate basic preventive behaviors such as mask wearing, adhering to stay-at-home orders, and participating in contact tracing initiatives [9, 14]. Concerns with the necessity, safety and potential side effects, trust in information from government sources, perceived risk of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine, trust in the medical industry including pharmaceutical companies involved in the vaccine development have been identified as reasons for being unsure or unwilling be vaccinated [15,16,17,18]
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