COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Its Causes among Elderly Family Members of Health-care Workers

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Vaccination has proven to be an effective preventive measure against COVID-19. The main hindrance for COVID-19 vaccination is vaccine hesitancy. Attitude of health-care workers (HCWs) toward vaccination is vital to promote vaccination and reduce vaccine hesitancy. HCWs are expected to promote COVID-19 vaccination and educate their family members for vaccination. Thus, it is important to know the reasons for vaccine hesitancy among elderly family members of HCWs so that these barriers can be overcome by proper measures. Methodology: This was a single-center cross-sectional study conducted by questionnaire-based interviews of HCWs pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccination details of their elderly household members. Questions with Likert scale-type responses were used to discern the reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Results: Among the study group, 38% were found to have high vaccine hesitancy. Low educational status (P = 0.0001), rural area of residence (P = 0.001), and female gender (P = 0.028) as well as the occupation of the HCW respondent (P = 0.011) were found to be significantly associated with high vaccine hesitancy. Fear of unknown side effects (52.6%), difficulties with vaccination slot booking (48.4%), belief of low risk for contracting COVID-19 disease, fear of the vaccine side effects, fear of vaccine itself causing COVID-19 illness, and mistrust against the vaccine manufacturers were the most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion: High vaccine hesitancy was found among elderly individuals with lower education status, female gender, and residence in rural areas. Fear of side effects of vaccine and contracting COVID-19 from the vaccine, logistical and technical difficulties, belief of low disease risk, and mistrust against the vaccine manufacturers were the most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy.