Acceptability of The Flu Vaccine among The General Population in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, 2021-2022

Mohamad, Rofayda Mansour Ahmed; Abu Jamileh, Khalil Ibrahim; Ali, Mohammad Radwan Abdelhak; Makki, Khalid Hassan Ali; Alshehri, Waheed Ali; Fadul, Safa Salih Ahmed; Buraei, Samir Salah Eldin Mohamed; Al-lahim, Wareef Abdullah Saleem; Abosalamh, Haytham Abdullah Amin; Althobaiti, Abdulla Saeed Hassan; Khubrani, Mohammed Ali Abdullah

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2023.279815

Acceptability of The Flu Vaccine among The General Population in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, 2021-2022

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2023.279815

Abstract

Background: Vaccine hesitancy and ignoring prevents reaching the desired rates of vaccine coverage.
Objectives: The present study was conducted to identify factors for the acceptability of the seasonal flu vaccination in the 2021-2022 season.
Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and February 2022 among the general population of Tabuk, KSA. A structured, self-administered, web-based questionnaire was distributed to a sample of adult residents of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included: 1) demographic data; 2) information about contracting COVID-19 and/or getting COVID-19 vaccination; and 3) acceptance or refusal of flu vaccination and reasons for either.
Results: Most respondents (73%) believed that the flu vaccine was important, but only 45% received the vaccine during the years 2021-2022. Independent predictors for believing the vaccine’s importance were having good knowledge about the vaccine, thinking that influenza is dangerous, hearing about the vaccine or taking it before, and believing that it reduces susceptibility to the disease. The independent predictors for vaccine acceptability were the male gender, the medical profession, perceiving influenza as a dangerous disease, believing the importance of the vaccine, uptake of the vaccine, and believing that the vaccine could reduce susceptibility.
Conclusion: A considerable proportion of the Tabuk adult population holds misconceptions about influenza and its vaccines. These misconceptions reduce the rate of vaccination coverage. COVID-19 infection or vaccination did not significantly contribute to flu vaccine acceptability. Health education about the flu vaccine’s safety and efficacy can increase vaccine acceptability.

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