Perceptions and predictors of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine

Antoinette B Coe; Marissa H Elliott; Sharon B S Gatewood; Jean-Venable R Goode; Leticia R Moczygemba

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.04.023

Perceptions and predictors of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2022 Apr;18(4):2593-2599. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.04.023. Epub 2021 May 1.

Authors

Antoinette B Coe¹, Marissa H Elliott², Sharon B S Gatewood³, Jean-Venable R Goode⁴, Leticia R Moczygemba⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. Electronic address: tonicoe@med.umich.edu.
² Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. Electronic address: emarissa@med.umich.edu.
³ School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA. Electronic address: ssgatewood@vcu.edu.
⁴ School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 410 North 12th Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA. Electronic address: jrgoode@vcu.edu.
⁵ University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, 2408 University Avenue, Austin, TX, 78712, USA. Electronic address: lrmoczygemba@austin.texas.edu.

Abstract

Background: The control of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may be dependent on widespread receipt of an effective vaccine. It is important to understand patient health-related behaviors and perceptions to guide public health vaccination strategies.

Objectives: To examine perceptions of COVID-19 and vaccination beliefs, and identify predictors of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the US.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey guided by the Health Belief Model was conducted using a web-based Qualtrics survey panel of US adults. The main outcome was the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if offered. Additional measures included: demographics, perceptions of COVID-19 severity, risk and susceptibility, views of a potential COVID-19 vaccine, virus and vaccine information sources, vaccine beliefs and behaviors, and seasonal flu vaccine history.

Results: A total of 1047 complete responses were included. Females had lower odds of intending to receive the COVID-19 vaccine than males (AOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36-0.80). Those with a two-year degree/some college had lower odds of intending to receive the COVID-19 vaccine compared to those with a high school degree/GED (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36-0.97). Respondents who perceived the severity of the virus to be higher, perceived a greater COVID-19 vaccine benefit, and perceived greater general vaccine benefits had higher odds of intending to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.09-1.91; AOR = 2.82, 95% CI: 2.24-3.56; AOR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.41-2.21, respectively).

Conclusions: In this study, intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine varied across demographics, perceived virus severity, COVID-19 vaccine and general vaccine beliefs. Successful implementation of a COVID-19 immunization strategy by healthcare providers and public health officials will need to incorporate diverse COVID-19 vaccination education strategies tailored to patients' health beliefs.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; Health belief model; Pandemic.

MeSH terms

Adult
COVID-19 Vaccines*
COVID-19*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Intention
Male
SARS-CoV-2
Vaccination

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines