From COVID-19 vaccine candidates to compulsory vaccination: The attitudes of Italian citizens in the key 7-month of vaccination campaign

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study is to understand the evolution of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance over the key 7-month vaccine campaign in Italy, a period in which the country moved from candidate vaccines to products administered to the public. The research focus points to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine attitudes in adults and their children, propension towards compulsory vaccination, past and present adherence to anti-flu and anti-pneumococcal vaccines, and the reasons for trust/mistrust of vaccines.

METHODS

Italian residents aged 16->65 years were invited to complete an online survey from September 2020 to April 2021. The survey contained 13 questions: 3 on demographic data; 8 on vaccine attitudes; and 2 open-ended questions about the reasons of vaccine confidence/refusal. A preliminary word frequency analysis has been conducted, as well as a statistical bivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Of 21.537 participants, the confidence of those in favor of the COVID-19 vaccine increases of 50 % and the number of people who wanted more information decreases by two-third. Willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 also increased from 51 % to 66.5 %. Only one-third of the strong vaccine-hesitant participants, i.e. 10 %, remained hostile. Compulsory vaccination showed a large and increasing favor by participants up to 78 %, in a way similar to their propensity for children's mandatory vaccination (70.6 %). Respondents' past and present adherence to anti-flu and anti-pneumococcal vaccines does not predict their intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19. Finally, a semantic analysis of the reasons of acceptance/refusal of COVID-19 vaccination suggests a complex decision-making process revealed by the participants' use of common words in pro-and-cons arguments.

CONCLUSION

The heterogeneity in the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, determinants and opinions detected at different ages, genders and pandemic phases suggests that health authorities should avoid one-size-fits-all vaccination campaigns. The results emphasize the long-term importance of reinforcing vaccine information, communication and education needs.

ABC Epatite Web App: raising health awareness in a mobile world

BACKGROUND

This paper presents the case study of a health campaign for mobile devices launched in Italy in 2019 aimed at raising viral hepatitis awareness. The research project "ABC epatite. Sviluppo di una app per la prevenzione delle epatiti virali e per la consapevolezza dei comportamenti a rischio", winner of the 2018 Digital Health Program of Gilead Italia, was carried out by the Italian National Research Council.

METHODS

The project entailed the development of a free Italian language Progressive Web App (PWA) providing current and scientifically validated information on viral hepatitis (A, B and C).

RESULTS

A mobile first PWA health awareness app was implemented (https://epatite.web.app) together with an Android app version. Diversified landing pages cater to two target audiences: general public and schools. An initial campaign was directed toward engaging schools in nine Italian regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary results based on the campaign directed toward Italian schools in just under half of its regions have shown promise on the feasibility of reaching large audiences and encouraging engagement on viral hepatitis prevention. A mobile first approach to health communication is a cost-effective way to help reaching the goal of eradicating viral hepatitis by reducing infections and deaths.