Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes of Elderly Turkish Individuals Regarding Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

Abstract

Vaccination activities aim to prevent contagious diseases, deaths, and permanent sequels caused by these diseases. Due to the Covid-19 virus, which has affected the whole world, all people have been directly affected by the negative effects of this virüs. Especially since the elderly population is more affected by this virus, it has become the group most exposed to social isolation. Şanlıurfa is accepted as the lowest province in Turkey in terms of Covid-19 vaccination rate. This study was conducted among 507 elderly people, aged 60 and older who lived in Şanlıurfa, between 01.07.2022 and 30.07.2022. The average of the confidence perception sub-dimension was found as 3.14 and the average of conspiracy theories in the sub-dimension was found as 2.79 on the scale used for the study. 35.1% of the participants stated that they did not trust in Covid-19 vaccine, and 64.9% of them stated that they trust it. 23.9% of elderly people who participated in the study stated that they did not receive any vaccine and 43.6% of them stated that they received 2 doses. To the question, “would you get the covid-19 vaccine again?” only 18.7% of the participants (95) answered yes, and 81.3% of them (412) answered no. Informing elderly individuals and families by healthcare professionals about the dangers of the Covid-19 virus and the reliability of vaccines developed against this virus will increase the vaccination rate.