Intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine: results from a population-based survey in Canada

Gina S Ogilvie,Arianne Albert,Liisa A M Galea,Anna Gottschlich,Melanie C M Murray,Manish Sadarangani,Lori A Brotto,C Sarai Racey,David Goldfarb,Laurie W Smith,Shanlea Gordon,Angela Kaida,Amy Booth

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-11098-9

Abstract

BackgroundThe success of any COVID-19 vaccine program ultimately depends on high vaccine uptake. This study determined overall intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and identified factors that predict intentions to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Canada, specifically in key priority groups identified by the American Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for early immunization.MethodsIndividuals from research cohorts from the general population of British Columbia aged 25–69 were invited complete an online survey based on validated scales and theoretical frameworks to explore intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Two multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to determine factors associated with intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.ResultsOf 4948 respondents, 79.8% intended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In multivariable modeling, respondents who intended to receive the vaccine had higher vaccine attitudinal scores (p < 0.001), reported greater influence of direct social norms (p = 0.001), and indirect social norms, including their family physician (p = 0.024), and Provincial Health Officer (p = 0.011). Older individuals (> 60 years) were more likely to intend to receive the vaccine, while females (95%CI 0.57,0.93), those with less than high school education (95%CI 0.5,0.76), those who self-identified as non-white (95%CI 0.60,0.92), self-identified as Indigenous (95%CI 0.36,0.84) and essential non-health care workers (95%CI 0.59,0.86) had lower adjusted odds of intending to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.ConclusionsTo optimize vaccine coverage, public health should focus on key messages around vaccine safety and benefit, and leverage trusted practitioners for messaging. As certain key populations identified by NACI and ACIP for early immunization report a lower intention to vaccinate, there is a need for in-depth education and support for these communities to ensure optimal uptake.

Highlights

The success of any COVID-19 vaccine program depends on high vaccine uptake
In Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has identified priority populations for initial vaccine roll-out, including populations at high risk for severe COVID-19 related illness; those most likely to transmit COVID-19 to those at high risk; those essential to maintaining the COVID-19 response; those who contribute to the maintenance of essential services; and those living or working in conditions that put them at higher risk for infection [7]
Using a survey based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) and grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the primary objective of this study was to determine the intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine among people living in British Columbia

Summary

Introduction

The success of any COVID-19 vaccine program depends on high vaccine uptake. This study determined overall intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and identified factors that predict intentions to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Canada, in key priority groups identified by the American Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for early immunization. In Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has identified priority populations for initial vaccine roll-out, including populations at high risk for severe COVID-19 related illness; those most likely to transmit COVID-19 to those at high risk; those essential to maintaining the COVID-19 response; those who contribute to the maintenance of essential services; and those living or working in conditions that put them at higher risk for infection [7]. ACIP had identified similar priority populations for early vaccine distribution in the United States, including healthcare personnel, persons with high-risk underlying medical conditions, and individuals over 65 years [6]

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