Factors Predicting Compliance with the Uptake of the Third COVID-19 Vaccine among the Arab Minority in Israel

Abstract

Between December 2020 and February 2021, Israel administered two doses of COVID-19 vaccine to >50% of its adult population. Nonetheless, due to declining immunity and the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant, the government offered a third COVID-19 vaccine dose in July 2021. Although the vaccine was shown to provide effective protection against severe illness, the compliance rate among the Arab minority remained low. The present study sought to identify the factors predicting willingness to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine in the Arab community. An online survey of 2486 participants was conducted in November 2021 to assess vaccination-related behaviours, such as perceived benefits, barriers, incentives (e.g., the green pass), subjective norms, and pandemic fatigue. Positive correlations were found among reasons for obtaining a green pass, trust in formal authorities, perceived effectiveness of the third COVID-19 vaccine dose, subjective norms, and attitudes toward the booster dose. Pandemic fatigue was positively correlated with vaccination barriers. Trust in authorities, perceived booster dose effectiveness, subjective norms, and attitudes were negatively related to pandemic fatigue and barriers to vaccination. Demographic variables such as age, education level, and income level were positively related to odds of getting the booster. Participants who reported being religious exhibited a lower rate of booster dose compliance than secular participants. The study findings show that the reasons for acquiring a green pass were positively correlated with the perceived effectiveness of the booster dose, demonstrating that individuals understood the vaccine benefits. Further, having a green pass was negatively related to barriers. Incentives such as the green pass play a major role in encouraging the population to take the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, public campaigns to explain the health benefits and refute erroneous myths support higher vaccination rates.