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COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA)

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A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 September 2023) | Viewed by 14444

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Rachael N. Piltch-Loeb

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Guest Editor

Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
Interests: behavioral vaccinology, risk communication; public health emergencies; vaccine scarcity; vaccine distribution; misinformation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite its relatively high accessibility and low burden of adherence, and despite the significant progress in science, efficacy, safety, and healthcare planning, as well as its established success, the acceptance of vaccination, especially COVID-19 vaccination, has been especially challenging. Vaccine acceptance has received increasing attention over the last two decades. As challenges to vaccine acceptance have arisen, there have also been significant changes in cultural and social climates, the communication landscape, political polarization, and the environment that may contribute to this challenge. In this Special Issue, we invite academic reflections on vaccine acceptance, insights from a broad range of disciplines that target diverse factors that may be related to vaccine acceptance, and interventions that may show promise to address these challenges that particularly focus on the roles of cultural, social, political, and ethical interests.

Dr. Rachael N. Piltch-Loeb
Guest Editor

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Keywords

vaccine (acceptance, hesitancy)
history
healthcare policy
ELSA

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1051 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Talking about the Vaccine after the Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study among Youth in Turkey and Ethical Issues

by Ahmet Özdinç, Mehmet Sait Değer, Muhammed Atak and İbrahim Demir

Vaccines 2023, 11(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11010104 - 1 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1962

Abstract

Examining the factors that affect the vaccination rate among young people in an ethical frame can support vaccination promotion. Therefore, this study will elaborate, through an ethical lens, on young people’s hesitation about and decisions regarding getting vaccinated. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 2428 people aged 15–30 in Turkey in June 2022. The questionnaire included the following subtitles: psycho-social situation, health services and health policies, COVID-19 vaccine, and predictions about life and health after the pandemic. The average age was 22.9 years. In the study sample, 80% were vaccinated, while 20% were not. Vaccinated participants acted more cautiously to protect their health. Receiving accurate and sufficient information on proposed vaccines affects vaccination status. The primary reason for getting vaccinated was “to protect their health, families, and relatives”, and the primary reason for not getting vaccinated was “not trusting the vaccine content or the country where the vaccine was produced”. Specifically, those vaccinated felt more relaxed physically, psychologically, and socially. In addition, the expectations for the future of those vaccinated were significantly higher. Accurate and adequate information is essential for reducing vaccine hesitancy. In addition, promoting prosocial behaviors in young people and highlighting related values will support vaccination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA))

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15 pages, 2635 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Media Reports on COVID-19 Vaccinations: A Study of Topic Modeling in South Korea

by Keumseok Koh, Seunghyeon Lee, Sangdon Park and Jaewoo Lee

Vaccines 2022, 10(12), 2166; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10122166 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1528

Abstract

Early successes in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic have prevented Republic of Korea from implementing a prompt, large-scale vaccine rollout to the public. The influence of traditional media on public opinion remains critical and substantial in Republic of Korea, and there have been heated debates about vaccination in traditional media reports in Korea. Effective and efficient public health communication is integral in managing public health challenges. This study explored media reports on the COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic in Republic of Korea. 12,399 media news reports from May 2020 to September 2021 were collected. An LDA topic model was applied in order to analyze and compare the topics drawn from each study phase using words from the unstructured text data. Although media reports from before the national vaccination implementation focused on the development and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, diverse topics were reported without any overlap. After the vaccination rollout, the biggest concern was the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. In sum, Republic of Korea’s major media outlets reported on diverse topics rather than generating a common discourse about topics related to COVID-19 vaccination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA))

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11 pages, 266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Freedom of Choice to Vaccinate and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Italy

by Mawulorm K. I. Denu, Alberto Montrond, Rachael Piltch-Loeb, Marco Bonetti, Veronica Toffolutti, Marcia A. Testa and Elena Savoia

Vaccines 2022, 10(11), 1973; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10111973 - 21 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2698

Abstract

Despite the availability of effective vaccines that lower mortality and morbidity associated with COVID-19, many countries including Italy have adopted strict vaccination policies and mandates to increase the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Such mandates have sparked debates on the freedom to choose whether or not to get vaccinated. In this study, we examined the people’s belief in vaccine choice as a predictor of willingness to get vaccinated among a sample of unvaccinated individuals in Italy. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Italy in May 2021. The survey collected data on respondents’ demographics and region of residence, socioeconomic factors, belief in the freedom to choose to be vaccinated or not, risk perception of contracting and transmitting the disease, previous vaccine refusal, opinion on adequacy of government measures to address the pandemic, experience in requesting and being denied government aid during the pandemic, and intent to accept COVID-19 vaccination. The analysis employed binary logistic regression models using a hierarchical model building approach to assess the association between intent to accept vaccination and belief in the freedom to choose to vaccinate, while adjusting for other variables of interest. 984 unvaccinated individuals were included in the study. Respondents who agreed that people should be free to decide whether or not to vaccinate with no restrictions on their personal life had 85% lower odds of vaccine acceptance (OR = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.09,0.23) after adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors and their risk perception of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. Belief in the freedom to choose whether or not to accept vaccinations was a major predictor of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a sample of unvaccinated individuals in Italy in May 2021. This understanding of how individuals prioritize personal freedoms and the perceived benefits and risks of vaccines, when making health care decisions can inform the development of public health outreach, educational programs, and messaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA))

11 pages, 253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Survey on Undergraduate Medical Students’ Perception of COVID-19 Vaccination

by Rosagemma Ciliberti, Francesca Lantieri, Rosario Barranco, Camilla Tettamanti, Alessandro Bonsignore and Francesco Ventura

Vaccines 2022, 10(9), 1464; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10091464 - 3 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1426

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to obtain information on medical students’ attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and to identify the main barriers to its acceptance. We conducted an anonymous online survey on a sample of undergraduate medical students from one main Italian University. The questions were aimed at exploring their attitudes toward vaccination to prevent COVID-19, their perceptions of the risk/threat of COVID-19 and the factors associated with their attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. A high percentage of students in our sample stated that they had been vaccinated or that they intended to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 coronavirus. A total of 239 questionnaires were analyzed. Age, social, geographic and demographic characteristics, health conditions and interest in vaccination were recorded; 93% of the students declared that they encouraged vaccination and 83% stated that the reason was “Moral responsibility towards the community”. Four students had not yet been vaccinated, mainly because of “Contradictory information on efficacy and safety”. The Likert-type questions revealed high agreement on the importance of vaccination and whether it should be made mandatory (“indispensable tool” and “ethical duty” were cited to explain this position). The results show a high level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among these medical undergraduates who, being halfway through their training and involved in clinical practice, are already in possession of specific scientific knowledge and, to a small extent, come from different areas of Italy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA))

11 pages, 924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are Fear of COVID-19 and Vaccine Hesitancy Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake? A Population-Based Online Survey in Nigeria

by Muhammad Chutiyami, Dauda Salihu, Umar Muhammad Bello, Stanley John Winser, Amina Abdullahi Gambo, Hadiza Sabo, Adam Mustapha Kolo, Hussaina Abubakar Jalo, Abdullahi Salisu Muhammad, Fatima Ado Mahmud, Khadijat Kofoworola Adeleye, Onyinye Mary Azubuike, Ibitoye Mary Bukola and Priya Kannan

Vaccines 2022, 10(8), 1271; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081271 - 7 Aug 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3255

Abstract

This study examined the association between COVID-19 and fear of contracting COVID-19 and reasons for vaccination refusal. A population-based online survey was conducted via social media in Nigeria using the Fear of COVID-19 scale and items related to vaccination refusal/hesitancy items. Individuals aged 13 years and older were invited to participate. Data were analysed using binary logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) at a p-value of less than 0.05. The study enrolled 577 individuals with a mean age of 31.86 years, 70% of whom were male and 27.7% of whom had received at least one dose of the vaccine against COVID-19. None of the variables on the Fear of COVID-19 scale significantly predicted vaccine uptake in multivariate analysis. However, individuals who were fearful of COVID-19 were more likely to be vaccinated in bivariate analysis (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.06–2.63). The most significant factors among the vaccination refusal items associated with COVID-19 vaccination were doubts about vaccination (adjusted OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.57–4.17) and misconceptions about vaccine safety/efficacy (adjusted OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.24–3.71). These results suggest that uptake of the vaccine against COVID-19 in Nigeria can be predicted by factors associated with vaccination refusal, but not by fear of COVID-19. To contain the pandemic COVID-19 in Nigeria, efforts should be made to educate people about the efficacy of the vaccine and to increase their confidence in vaccination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA))

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10 pages, 455 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Psychological and Psychiatric Events Following Immunization with Five Different Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

by Mario García-Alanis, Marisa Morales-Cárdenas, Liz Nicole Toapanta-Yanchapaxi, Erwin Chiquete, Isaac Núñez, Santa Elizabeth Ceballos-Liceaga, Guillermo Carbajal-Sandoval, Carla Toledo-Salinas, David Alejandro Mendoza-Hernández, Selma Cecilia Scheffler-Mendoza, José Antonio Ortega-Martell, Daniel Armando Carrillo-García, Noé Hernández-Valdivia, Alonso Gutiérrez-Romero, Javier Andrés Galnares-Olalde, Fernando Daniel Flores-Silva, José Luis Díaz-Ortega, Gustavo Reyes-Terán, Hugo López-Gatell, Ricardo Cortes-Alcalá, José Rogelio Pérez-Padilla, Antonio Arauz, Miguel García-Grimshaw and Sergio Iván Valdés-Ferrer Show full author list Hide full author list

Vaccines 2022, 10(8), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081297 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2898

Abstract

Background: Despite the high number of vaccines administered against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) worldwide, the information on the psychological/psychiatric adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with these newly developed vaccines remains scarce. Objective: To describe the frequency of psychological/psychiatric symptoms among recipients of five different anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and to explore the factors associated with their development reported in the nationwide Mexican registry of AEFI against SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Descriptive study of all the psychological/psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and agitation reported to the Mexican Epidemiological Surveillance System from 21 December 2020 to 27 April 2021, among adult (≥18 years old) recipients of 7,812,845 doses of BNT162b2, ChAdOx1 nCov-19, rAd26-rAd5, Ad5-nCoV, or CoronaVac. The factors associated with their development are determined by multivariate regression analysis. Results: There were 19,163 AEFI reports during the study period; amongst them, 191 (1%) patients had psychological/psychiatric symptoms (median age of 41 years, interquartile range of 32–54; 149 [78%] women) for an observed incidence of 2.44 cases per 100,000 administered doses (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.12–2.82), 72.8% of psychiatric AEFIs were reported among recipients of BNT162b2. The median time from vaccination to symptom onset was 35 min (interquartile range: 10–720). Overall, the most common psychological/psychiatric symptoms were anxiety in 129 (67.5%) patients, panic attacks in 30 (15.7%), insomnia in 25 (13%), and agitation in 11 (5.7%). After adjusting for the confounding factors, the odds for developing psychological/psychiatric symptoms were higher for those concurrently reporting syncope (odds ratio [OR]: 4.73, 95% CI: 1.68–13.33); palpitations (OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.65–3.70), and dizziness (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.10–2.28). Conclusion: In our population, psychological/psychiatric symptoms were extremely infrequent AEFIs. No severe psychiatric AEFIs were reported. Immunization stress-related responses might explain most of the detected cases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (ELSA))

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