COVID-19 Vaccine Literacy, Attitudes, and Vaccination Intention Against COVID-19 Among Thai Older Adults

How well does vaccine literacy predict intention to vaccinate and vaccination status? A systematic review and meta-analysis

This review quantified the association of vaccine literacy (VL) and vaccination intention and status. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Any study, published until December 2022, that investigated the associations of interest were eligible. For each outcome, articles were grouped according to the vaccine administrated and results were narratively synthesized. Inverse-variance random-effect models were used to compare standardized mean values in VL domain(s) between the two groups: individuals willing vs. unwilling to get vaccinated, and individuals vaccinated vs. unvaccinated. This review of 18 studies shows that VL strongly predicts the vaccination intention while its association with vaccination status is attenuated and barely significant, suggesting that other factors influence the actual vaccination uptake. However, given the scarce evidence available, the heterogeneity in the methods applied and some limitations of the studies included, further research should be conducted to confirm the role of VL in the vaccination decision-making process.

Factors influencing Thai university students' decisions to take COVID-19 vaccine booster doses: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

We aimed to describe the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and factors influencing this among Thai university students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and September 2022. All university students in Thailand were eligible to participate. We explored the acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and regular vaccines (if available) among university students. Associations between factors influencing the acceptance of vaccination were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 322 participants were surveyed (78.9% female, age 18 to 49 years (mean = 22.6, standard deviation = 5.47)). Most participants (85.7%) were undergraduate students (Bachelor level), and a proportion (84.8%) had a background in health sciences studies. The proportions who accepted booster doses and regular vaccines were 52.8% and 69.3%, respectively. Vaccine accessibility was found to be significantly associated with the acceptance of booster doses (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10-6.97), while the availability of scientific evidence (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI = 1.21-9.77) was significantly associated with the acceptance of regular vaccines.

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to addressing the knowledge gap regarding acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses among university students in Thailand. Our findings revealed that vaccine accessibility and the availability of scientific evidence, as well as vaccination costs, influenced individuals' decisions around accepting vaccine booster doses. Further research should focus on the dynamics of vaccine acceptance to facilitate the development of targeted strategies and support vaccination policymaking in Thailand.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy among Nurses in Thailand: Implications, Challenges, and Future Prospects for Attitudes and Vaccine Literacy

Nurses are healthcare workers at high risk of contracting COVID-19 and are prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to explore COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, vaccine literacy, and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines, and determine factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among nurses in Thailand. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using online questionnaires between May and June 2021. A total of 510 nurses were recruited during the pandemic's third wave in Thailand. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Ten percent (n = 51) of the participants were men, all of whom showed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Of the 459 female nurses, 94.8% (n = 435) accepted COVID-19 vaccination and 91.3% (n = 419) reported previous influenza vaccination. In multiple logistic regression models, previous influenza vaccination, interactive-critical vaccine literacy, and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines were significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among female nurses in Thailand. Those who had previously received influenza vaccination were more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccination. Higher scores for interactive-critical vaccine literacy and positive attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine increased the odds of accepting vaccination, while negative attitudes were associated with decreased vaccine acceptance. Vaccine literacy, together with attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine, had a strong positive effect on increasing vaccination acceptance and reducing vaccine hesitancy. The results suggest that policymakers should consider both attitudes and vaccine literacy when establishing prospective strategies for promoting vaccine acceptance among nurses beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 vaccine literacy: A scoping review

To address vaccine hesitancy, specific self-rated tools have been developed to assess vaccine literacy (VL) related to COVID-19, including additional variables, such as beliefs, behavior, and willingness to be vaccinated. To explore the recent literature a search was performed selecting articles published between January 2020 and October 2022: 26 papers were identified using these tools in the context of COVID-19. Descriptive analysis showed that the levels of VL observed in the studies were generally in agreement, with functional VL score often lower than the interactive-critical dimension, as if the latter was stimulated by the COVID-19-related infodemic. Factors associated with VL included vaccination status, age, educational level, and, possibly, gender. Effective communication based on VL when promoting vaccination is critical to sustaining immunization against COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. The VL scales developed to date have shown good consistency. However, further research is needed to improve these tools and develop new ones.

Parental Hesitancy on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children Under Five Years in Thailand: Role of Attitudes and Vaccine Literacy

INTRODUCTION

Global vaccination efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic may be impeded by vaccine hesitancy. Attitudes and vaccine literacy are important factors that reduce vaccine hesitancy. The role of attitudes and vaccine literacy of parents on COVID-19 vaccine intention for their children under five years was unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess parents' characteristics, vaccine literacy, attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccine intention/hesitancy and to determine factors influencing parents' vaccine intention for their children under five years of age.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire before the authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine for very young children in Thailand. The sample consisted of 455 parents with children under five years old. The online questionnaire included parents' sociodemographic data, vaccine literacy, attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccine intention to get their children vaccinated.

RESULTS

About 98% of the parents received their COVID-19 vaccination, whereas only 45.1% reported they would have their children under five years old get vaccinated. About 54.9% were either not sure or refused their child's COVID-19 vaccination. A multiple logistic regression model identified factors that increased the odds of parents' vaccine intention: parents aged > 35 years, attitudes on safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine for children, advice about the COVID-19 vaccines from healthcare personnel, and the belief that COVID-19 vaccine is helpful for their children. Attitudes that COVID-19 vaccination in children could be fatal decreased parents' vaccine intention. Need for more information about the COVID-19 vaccine for children and concern about the vaccine's side effects were the most frequent reasons for vaccine hesitancy and refusal.

CONCLUSION

Parents should be provided with accurate information from healthcare personnel and media sources about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine for young children under five years of age to overcome their hesitancy.