Show simple item record

AuthorAl-Mulla, Reem
AuthorAbu-Madi, Marawan
AuthorTalafha, Qusai M
AuthorTayyem, Reema F
AuthorAbdallah, Atiyeh M
Available date2021-09-12T05:58:15Z
Publication Date2021-06-18
Publication NameVaccines
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9060665
CitationAl-Mulla, R.; Abu-Madi, M.; Talafha, Q.M.; Tayyem, R.F.; Abdallah, A.M. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in a Representative Education Sector Population in Qatar. Vaccines 2021, 9, 665. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9060665
Identifier665
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/23000
AbstractEven though vaccination programs have now started in earnest across the globe and in Qatar, vaccine hesitancy remains a barrier to effectively tackling the pandemic. Many factors influence willingness to take vaccines including safety, efficacy, and side effects. Given their proximity to research and education, university students and employees represent an interesting cohort in which to investigate vaccine hesitancy. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of Qatar University employees and students towards the COVID-19 vaccine. In total, 231 employees and 231 students participated in an online cross-sectional study in February 2021. Of the sample, 62.6% were willing to take a vaccine against COVID-19. Participants with or taking postgraduate degrees were more willing to take the vaccine compared to participants with or taking a diploma or bachelor's degree ( < 0.001). Males had a higher rate of vaccine acceptance ( < 0.001). In the group that regarded flu vaccination as important, 13% were unwilling to take COVID-19 vaccine. There were no associations between willingness to vaccinate and vaccine/virus knowledge and social media use. Participants showed a high level of concern regarding vaccine side effects in themselves or their children. Two-thirds agreed or strongly agreed that they would take the vaccine if it was mandatory for international travel. Our participants were neutral to the origin of vaccine development. These findings, which represent data collected after the start of the national vaccination program, show that vaccine hesitancy persists in the Qatari population and that some groups, such as undergraduate students, could benefit from specific, targeted public health campaigns.
Languageen
PublisherMDPI
SubjectCOVID-19
Qatar
education sector
hesitancy
post vaccine administration program
vaccine
TitleCOVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in a Representative Education Sector Population in Qatar
TypeArticle
Issue Number6
Volume Number9
dc.accessType Open Access


Files in this item

Thumbnail

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record