Can We Persuade Those Who Hesitate to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

OBJECTIVE

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine studies are continuing in many centers. However, the public's preference for vaccination against COVID-19 is not clear. This study aims to determine the knowledge level of people about vaccines developed against the COVID-19 and their preferences for vaccination.

METHODS

Participants' knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines was evaluated with a questionnaire. Participants were selected by a stratified method using age, gender, education, and occupation group.

RESULTS

The study includes 1508 participants with a mean age of 38.97 ± 14.50 (min = 18, max = 82); 24.7% (n = 373) of the participants stated that they wanted to be vaccinated, 34.5% (n = 521) did not want to be vaccinated, and 40.7% (n = 614) stated that they were undecided about vaccination; 39.11% (n = 444) of the participants stated that they were afraid of the vaccine's side effects, and 19.55% (n = 222) thought that the vaccines produced were used for malicious purposes and hesitated to vaccinate; 7.57% (n = 86) of the participants stated that they thought the vaccines were rushed too much and not yet reassuring.

CONCLUSIONS

The study results show that individuals are hesitant and unwilling to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Persuasion interventions and information are necessary, as the rate of those who accept vaccination is very low.