Unravelling the drivers behind COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and refusal among teachers: A nationwide study

Abstract

This study aims to assess the determinants of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination hesitancy and refusal (VHR) among teachers, from pre-school to higher education, through an online survey. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of the independent variables (perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes) per 1-point increase in the Likert scale, and VHR. Concerns about the vaccines' efficacy and safety increase the risk of VHR (OR = 6.97, 95 %CI: 4.82-10.09 and OR = 8.71, 95 %CI: 5.52-13.73, respectively). Higher risk perceptions of getting infected (1/OR = 3.94, 95 %CI: 2.93-5.29), trust in the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing this risk or protecting against suffering complications (OR = 3.52, 95 %CI: 2.72-4.55 and OR = 10.94, 95 %CI: 7.16-16.68, respectively), and higher trust levels on the information transmitted regarding COVID-19 vaccination, are associated to lower VHR. As VHR appears to be highly influenced by perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes, it is crucial to promote and design interventions targeted to transforming these determinants.

Keywords: COVID-19; Hesitancy; Survey; Teachers; Vaccination.