Satisfaction with COVID-19 Vaccines in Health Care Workers and the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Bangkok, Thailand

Jadsada Kunno; Pataraporn Yubonpunt; Chavanant Sumanasrethakul; Chuthamat Kaewchandee; Mark Gregory Robson; Wachiraporn Wanichnopparat; Krit Prasittichok; Titaporn Luangwilai; Chonlawat Chaichan; Patcharaporn Krainara; Busaba Supawattanabodee

doi:10.3390/vaccines10081345

Satisfaction with COVID-19 Vaccines in Health Care Workers and the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Bangkok, Thailand

Vaccines (Basel). 2022 Aug 18;10(8):1345. doi: 10.3390/vaccines10081345.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Research and Medical Innovation, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.
² Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand.
³ Department of Urban Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.
⁴ School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy is a global issue. Many people are concerned about experiencing side effects from the vaccine. This study evaluated satisfaction with the COVID-19 vaccine in the general population (GP) and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Bangkok, Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed from September-December 2021. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare GP and HCW participants’ total vaccine satisfaction scores as well as their satisfaction with varying vaccine types. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of satisfaction scores among GP and HCWs. Results: A total of 780 valid questionnaire responses were obtained. The majority of GP participants (n = 390) had received their first (93.3%) and second (88.5%) vaccination shots by viral vector vaccine; however, 90% had not received a third dose (booster). In contrast, the majority of HCW participants (n = 390) had received their first (92.8%) and second (82.8%) vaccination doses by the inactivated vaccine, and 83% had received a third vaccine dose. HCWs had significantly higher total satisfaction scores than GP participants (p = 0.034), and they were also significantly more satisfied with the mRNA vaccine as a third dose (p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression models found less association with vaccine satisfaction among GP participants who had not isolated following exposure to COVID-19 and those who have never been at risk of infection (ᵦ −0.159; 95% CI −12.867, −1.877; p = 0.009). Among HCWs, being married (ᵦ 0.157; 95% CI 0.794, 3.278; p = 0.001) or divorced (ᵦ 0.198; 95% CI 3.303, 9.596; p < 0.01) was more closely associated with vaccine satisfaction than being single. Conclusion: HCWs were more satisfied with the type and efficacy of inactivated, viral vector, and mRNA vaccines than GP participants, and the former were also more satisfied with the cost of vaccine boosters. Our results indicate that satisfaction with the COVID-19 vaccine is based on academic knowledge sharing and the government’s promotion efforts. Future research will explore strategies to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination.

Keywords: Bangkok; COVID-19 vaccine; general population; healthcare workers; vaccine satisfaction.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.