Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in High Income Countries Prior to Vaccine Approval and Rollout: A Narrative Review.

Maryke S Steffens,Kasia Bolsewicz,Bianca Bullivant,Frank Beard,Catherine King

doi:10.3389/ijph.2022.1604221

Abstract

Objectives: Acceptance and high uptake of COVID-19 vaccines continues to be critical for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. This narrative review aimed to summarise findings on factors influencing acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in the period leading up to the approval and rollout. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of literature published in 2020 on factors influencing acceptance of hypothetical COVID-19 vaccines in adults in high income countries with well-established health systems. Results: Facilitators of acceptance included confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness, high COVID-19 disease risk perception and trust in health authorities and other vaccine stakeholders, including government. Barriers included safety and effectiveness concerns, perceived scientific uncertainty, low disease risk perception, and low trust in authorities and other stakeholders. Conclusion: Evidence on facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, at a time prior to vaccine rollout, can help health authorities address hesitancy and may inform approaches to support acceptance of novel pandemic vaccines in the future. Future research should include in-depth qualitative research to gather more nuanced evidence.

Highlights

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines continues to be critical for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and returning society to normal functioning [1, 2]
COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Prior to Approval benefits to understanding factors that may play a role more broadly in the acceptance of new vaccines developed for novel viruses and pandemics, especially in the period prior to vaccine approval, when awareness may be low, and individuals may be forming attitudes, beliefs, and intentions that influence later vaccination behaviour [5]
We focused on acceptance in adults in high income countries with well-established health systems, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and European countries

Summary

Introduction

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines continues to be critical for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and returning society to normal functioning [1, 2]. Early evidence on facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance can inform health authorities’ and other vaccine stakeholders’ responses to hesitancy and refusal of vaccines throughout the life of a vaccination program, for example to support acceptance of COVID-19 booster vaccines, the generation of COVID-19 vaccines, or vaccination of groups eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines later than others, for example children. Such evidence can help authorities maintain sensitivity to people’s questions and concerns about COVID-19 vaccines, and respond in ways that build trust in and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, or other novel vaccines in the future

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion