ATTITUDES OF PUBLIC TOWARDS COVID-19 VACCINE IN TURKEY

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the attitude of the public towards the COVID-19 vaccine and the factors affecting the vaccination decision shortly before the start of the vaccination program in Turkey. The study was a descriptive study conducted with the participation of 1098 people aged ≥18 years living in Turkey in December 2020, when COVID-19 vaccination practices had not yet started in Turkey. The sociodemographic characteristics, chronic disease and vaccination history, COVID-19 disease history, COVID-19 vaccination decision, and fear of COVID-19 were assessed with an online questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting the vaccination decision. 42.9% (n=471) of the participants were undecided the COVID-19 vaccine. The "concerns about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccine" had the most negative impact (42.6%, n=468), on vaccination decisions. The likelihood of vaccine hesitation/rejection reduced as the "COVID-19 Fear" scale score grew (OR=0.95, %95 CI:0.93-0.97; p<0.001). Vaccine hesitation/rejection was 1.6 times higher in women (OR=1.65, %95 CI:1.24-2.20; p=0.001), 1.7 times higher among those who had not gotten an H1N1 vaccine in 2009 (OR=1.76, %95 CI:1.17-2.64; p<0.05) and 1.4 times higher (OR=1.45, %95 CI:1.06-1.98; p<0.05) in those who had never received a seasonal influenza vaccine. This study showed that there is significant vaccine hesitancy before widespread vaccination. Immunization history is one of the factors determining attitude towards a vaccine in development. The key factors influencing vaccine decisions appeared to be concerns about vaccine efficacy and safety.