Modification and validation of the teen vaccine hesitancy scale toward vaccines for adolescents.

Predictors of confidence and trust in government and institutions during the COVID-19 response in Australia

With a large population of people vaccinated, it is possible that at-risk people are shielded, and the coronavirus disease is contained. Given the low vaccine uptakes, achieving herd immunity via vaccination campaigns can be challenging. After a literature review, we found a paucity of research studies of vaccine hesitancy from social media settings. This study aims to categorise and create a typology of social media contents and assess the priority of concerns for future public health messaging. With a dataset of 43,203 YouTube comments, we applied text analytics and multiple regression analyses to examine the correlations between vaccine hesitancy factors and vaccination intention. Our major findings are (i) Polarized views on vaccines existed in the social media ecology of public discourse, with a majority of people unwilling to get vaccinated against COVID-19; (ii) Reasons behind vaccine hesitancy included concerns about vaccine safety, potential side-effects, lack of trust in government and pharmaceutical companies; (iii) Political partisan-preferences were exemplified in vaccine decision-making processes; (iv) Anti-vaccine movements with amplified misinformation fuelled vaccine hesitancy and undermined public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. We suggest public health practitioners engage in social media and craft evidenced-based messages to online communities in a balanced and palatable way.

Influenza vaccine uptake, COVID-19 vaccination intention and vaccine hesitancy among nurses: A survey

Modification and validation of a vaccine hesitancy scale for adolescent COVID-19 vaccination

The World Health Organization recently declared vaccine hesitancy or refusal as a threat to global health. COVID-19 vaccines have been proven efficacious and are central to combatting the pandemic. However, many-including skilled health care workers (HCWs)-have been hesitant in taking the vaccines. Conspiracy theories spread on social media may play a central role in fueling vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study was to investigate HCWs' belief in COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories (ie, that the vaccines can alter one's DNA or genetic information and that the vaccines contain microchips) and trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines. Health care workers in Ondo State, Nigeria, representing different health care professions were asked to participate anonymously in an online survey. The participants were asked about their beliefs in 2 viral conspiracy theories and their trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines. We used multivariable logistic regressions to investigate the relationships between trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines and (1) belief in DNA alteration, (2) belief in microchip implantation through the vaccine, and (3) willingness to accept the vaccine. A total of 557 HCWs (n=156, 28% men and n=395, 70.9% women) were included in the study. A total of 26.4% (n=147) of the sampled HCWs believed COVID-19 vaccines contained digital microchips, while 30% (n=167) believed the vaccines could alter one's DNA or genetic information. The beliefs varied according to professional group, with 45.8% (55/120) and 50% (5/10) of nurses and pharmacists, respectively, believing in the DNA alteration theory and 33.3% (40/120) and 37.5% (6/16) of the nurses and laboratory scientists, respectively, believing in the microchip theory. Social media was an important source of COVID-19 information for 45.4% (253/557) of HCWs. A total of 76.2% (419/550) of the participants expressed a willingness to take the vaccine. The odds of HCWs believing that COVID-19 vaccines contained digital microchips increased significantly with decreasing level of trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines (odds ratio [OR] 4.6, 95% CI 2.6-8.0). We made a similar finding in those who believed COVID-19 vaccines could alter DNA and genetic information (OR 5.2, 95% CI 3.1-8.8). Misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines reaches and influences HCWs. A high proportion of the sampled HCWs believed that COVID-19 vaccines contained microchips or that the vaccines could alter recipients' DNA and genetic information. This might have negative consequences in terms of the HCWs' own COVID-19 vaccination and their influence on other people. Lack of trust in government and its institutions might explain the belief in both conspiracy theories and vaccine hesitancy. There is a need for health care stakeholders in Nigeria and around the world to actively counteract misinformation, especially on social media, and give HCWs necessary scientifically sound information.

Patients with psychiatric disorders have high mortality and morbidity rates from infectious diseases, but low vaccination rates compared to the normal population. This study aimed to evaluate the vaccination rates for influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccines, and the levels of vaccine hesitancy among individuals with psychiatric disorders. The study was a cross-sectional study among patients with psychiatric disorders. Participants' vaccination statuses for influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic were assessed, along with their vaccine hesitancy levels using a vaccine hesitancy scale. Data were collected between 01.03.2024 and 27.11.2024. The study included 500 patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. Only 3.6% of the participants had received the influenza vaccine in the previous year, 3.0% reported regular influenza vaccinations, and 76.2% had received the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic. Among the participants at risk for pneumococcal infection (14%), the vaccination rate was only 2%. Patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (45.0%) and anxiety disorder (17.2%) had the highest rates of regular influenza vaccination, while those with psychosis (13.6%) and depression (14.6%) had the lowest (p=0.010). COVID-19 vaccination rates during the pandemic were highest in ADHD (90.0%), bipolar disorder (81.1%), and depression (80.8%), and lowest in psychosis (54.5%) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (64.3%)(p=0.002). Women (p=0.001), participants with below university education levels (p=0.009), and patients with psychosis showed greater vaccine hesitancy. Patients with ADHD and bipolar disorder had the most positive attitudes toward vaccination (p=0.021). Positive attitudes were also linked to recent or regular influenza vaccinations and COVID-19 or pneumococcal vaccinations (p<0.05). Low vaccination rates and high vaccine hesitancy in psychiatric patients, particularly those with psychosis, necessitate targeted strategies to improve immunization coverage in this population.

Factors and reasons associated with low COVID-19 vaccine uptake among highly hesitant communities in the US

BackgroundThe degree and spread of misinformation regarding the COVID‐19 pandemic has been prolific, influencing individuals of all ages. We examined belief in misinformation in older individuals with and without cognitive impairment in Boston, MA (United States) and Chieti (Italy). The purpose of this investigation was to compare the two cohorts on specific misconceptions, trust in media and government, perceived risk regarding COVID‐19, and their relation to COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy and intention.MethodForty‐seven subjects from the U.S. (mean age = 75.4, SD = 9.4) and 134 subjects from Italy (mean age = 72.2, SD = 7.7) were administered a telephone neuropsychological battery and MoCA. One hundred twenty‐two individuals (67.4%) met the cutoff for cognitive impairment. Individuals answered a COVID‐19 Misinformation Questionnaire and Perceived Risk Scale. A Vaccine Hesitancy Scale was administered 4‐6 months after the initial assessment. Comparisons were made between the two cohorts using binary logistic regression, controlling for age, education, and cognitive status (i.e., MoCA).ResultsIndividuals in the Italian cohort demonstrated greater perceived risk of contracting COVID‐19 and also greater trust in the government as a source of information. A large proportion of the sample (N=160; 88.4%) rated the media as not at all trustworthy. Greater cognitive impairment was predictive of misconception endorsement. Further, individuals in the U.S. cohort were approximately four times as likely as individuals in the Italian cohort to believe that that COVID‐19 was a bioweapon developed by a government or terrorist organization. Trust indices were not related to misconception belief. Examination of vaccine hesitancy, and confirmation of the preliminary analyses, will be undertaken following completed recruitment and testing.ConclusionWhen individuals hold knowledge that is incorrect, the consequences can be manifold. From our preliminary analyses, we found that trust in government was not related to misconception endorsement; however, differences emerged between the U.S. and Italian cohorts. This examination provides a broad, cultural context to complex health beliefs, with specific implications for health behaviors such as vaccine intention, for individuals with and without cognitive impairment.

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older — United States, 2016

Sex differences in COVID-19 vaccine confidence in people living with HIV in Canada

This study aims to evaluate maternal vaccine hesitancy and its associated factors. This is a cross-sectional study of a probabilistic sample of 450 mothers of children born in 2015, living in a Brazilian city, and who was, at the time of data collection, more than two years old. We used the tool proposed by the World Health Organization (10-item Vaccine Hesitancy Scale). To assess its structure, we performed, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. We performed linear regression models to evaluate the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy. The factor analysis showed two components for the vaccine hesitancy scale: lack of confidence in vaccines and risk perception of vaccines. High family income was associated with lower vaccine hesitancy (greater confidence in vaccines and lower risk perception of vaccines), while the presence of other children, regardless of birth order, in the family was associated with lower confidence in vaccines. A good rapport with health professionals, willingness to wait for the vaccination and the getting vaccinated through campaigns were associated with greater confidence in vaccines. The deliberate delay or decision not to vaccinate their children and previous experience with adverse reactions to the vaccine were associated with lower confidence in vaccines and greater risk perception of vaccines. Health care providers, especially nurses, play a relevant role to address vaccine hesitancy, guiding vaccination through a trustworthy rapport.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy, associated with medical mistrust, confidence, complacency and knowledge of vaccines, presents an obstacle to the campaign against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The relationship between vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy beliefs may be a key determinant of the success of vaccination campaigns. This study provides a conceptual framework to explain the impact of pathways from conspiracy beliefs to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy with regard to medical mistrust, confidence, complacency and knowledge of vaccines. Methods: A non-probability study was conducted with 1015 respondents between 17 April and 28 May 2021. Conspiracy beliefs were measured using the coronavirus conspiracy scale of Coronavirus Explanations, Attitudes, and Narratives Survey (OCEANS), and vaccine conspiracy beliefs scale. Medical mistrust was measured using the Oxford trust in doctors and developers questionnaire, and attitudes to doctors and medicine scale. Vaccine confidence and complacency were measured using the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine confidence and complacency scale. Knowledge of vaccines was measured using the vaccination knowledge scale. Vaccine hesitancy was measured using the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the measurement models for conspiracy beliefs, medical mistrust, confidence, complacency, and knowledge of vaccines and vaccine hesitancy. The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to analyze the direct and indirect pathways from conspiracy beliefs to vaccine hesitancy. Results: Of the 894 (88.1%) respondents who were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine without any hesitancy, the model fit with the CFA models for conspiracy beliefs, medical mistrust, confidence, complacency and knowledge of vaccines, and vaccine hesitancy was deemed acceptable. Conspiracy beliefs had significant direct (β = 0.294), indirect (β = 0.423) and total (β = 0.717) effects on vaccine hesitancy; 41.0% of the total effect was direct, and 59.0% was indirect. Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted vaccine hesitancy by medical mistrust (β = 0.210), confidence and complacency (β = 0.095), knowledge (β = 0.079) of vaccines, explaining 29.3, 11.0, and 13.2% of the total effects, respectively. Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted vaccine hesitancy through the sequential mediation of knowledge of vaccines and medical mistrust (β = 0.016), explaining 2.2% of the total effects. Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted vaccine hesitancy through the sequential mediation of confidence and complacency, and knowledge of vaccines (β = 0.023), explaining 3.2% of the total effects. The SEM approach indicated an acceptable model fit (χ2/df = 2.464, RMSEA = 0.038, SRMR = 0.050, CFI = 0.930, IFI = 0.930). Conclusions: The sample in this study showed lower vaccine hesitancy, and this study identified pathways from conspiracy beliefs to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in China. Conspiracy beliefs had direct and indirect effects on vaccine hesitancy, and the indirect association was determined through medical mistrust, confidence, complacency, and knowledge of vaccines. In addition, both direct and indirect pathways from conspiracy beliefs to vaccine hesitancy were identified as intervention targets to reduce COVID–19 vaccine hesitancy.

Pediatric Vaccine Hesitancy and COVID-19

Assessing the Shift in Reasoning for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the United States Using a Six-Month Cross-Sectional Analysis from December 2020 to June 2021

COVID-19 vaccine intentions in Australia