IDF21-0080 Determinants of acceptability to COVID-19 vaccine among the general public and diabetes population in Israel

Abstract

Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant public health threat and catastrophic economic consequences around the world. Israel was one of the first countries to offer the innovative COVID-19 vaccine, a step that was accompanied with mixed reactions among the public, causing hesitancy and avoidance by many categorized at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease. Aim: To assess attitudes towards the new COVID-19 vaccine and willingness to get vaccinated among the general public and diabetes population. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted between December 15th and 20th, 2020. Research population included 807 Hebrew speaking Internet users in Israel aged 18 and over, where 503 of them represented the general population and 304 represented the diabetes population in the country. The study questionnaire referred to the worry to become infected in COVID-19, attitudes toward the vaccine and towards seasonal influenza vaccination. Multinomial logistic regression modelling was used for understanding the effect of research variables on willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Results: About 70% of diabetes population compared to 56% of the general public expressed high level of apprehension to become infected with coronavirus. The safety of the vaccine for people with background conditions was perceived higher among people with diabetes (41.1% vs. 30.0% of the general public). Willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was higher among people with diabetes (42% vs. 10% of the general public) while only 10.2% of people with diabetes noted that they are not going to get vaccinated, compared to 16.7% in the general public. All differences were significant (p<0.01). When asked about seasonal flu vaccination this year, 67% of people with diabetes responded positively in comparison to only 37% of the general public. In addition, significant gender differences in attitudes toward COVID-19 and toward vaccination against this disease were evident in both study populations, as women reported higher levels of apprehension from developing COVID-19 than men, lower level of confidence in the safety of the vaccine and lower level of willingness to get vaccinated against. Discussion: These results reflect on tendency of sub-populations and could direct campaign efforts in similar future events.