Abstract
In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, maintenance of protective behavior is a continued challenge in the effort to contain the spread of the virus. A cross-sectional study via an internet questionnaire was utilized to elucidate changes in compliance to protective behavior among the Israeli population (n = 1120), after the beginning of the vaccination campaign. Comparison was made between individuals who were previously infected with the virus, those who received one dose of inoculation with the vaccine, and individuals that were neither infected or vaccinated. The study results indicate that those who were previously infected with the COVID-19 virus were less careful about mask wearing (18.8%) and social distancing (29.7%), as compared to the other examined groups (regarding mask wearing, 8.2% and 11.6% respectively, and with regard to social distancing 12.8% and 19.2%), and may require targeted risk communication campaigns to address this population. Furthermore, the study revealed that those that were non-Jewish (as compared to Jewish study counterparts) or that were older (19+) were more vigilant in their protective behavior (29.6% vs. 11.2% respectively for social distancing and 29.6% vs. 11.1% respectively for mask wearing). Despite a successful initial vaccination campaign in Israel, public health officials need to engage all members of the public to unremittingly observe compliance to directed health guidelines, to ensure that the results of previous governmental efforts in fighting the pandemic (such as lockdowns) will be effectively sustained, and the road to containment will be hastened.
Highlights
The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has rapidly made a significant impact on the global community by impacting health, economic, societal, and political systems of all countries, resulting in massive morbidity and mortality [1]
Concerning age groups, we found a higher percentage of the age groups 19–55 and 56 and above reporting that they paid more attention to mask wearing after the beginning of the vaccination campaign, as compared to the younger age group of 18 or less (16.5%, 17.6%, and 10.4% respectively; χ2 = 11.28 p = 0.024)
Reports of rising infections with the COVID-19 virus, as well as the potential that vaccinated individuals serve as asymptomatic carriers, suggest that these individuals may still constitute a significant reservoir of future spread, putting vulnerable populations at risk with a false sense of security [37,38,39]
Summary
The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has rapidly made a significant impact on the global community by impacting health, economic, societal, and political systems of all countries, resulting in massive morbidity and mortality [1]. This novel and emerging illness has challenged authorities with containing the spread of the virus and has resulted in the issuing of unprecedented public health measures, with social distancing regulations put in place including full lockdowns [2].
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