Assessment of intention and hesitancy to receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine among community pharmacists using a vaccine hesitancy scale

AimTo assess the patterns regarding COVID-19 infection and vaccination, along with the intention and hesitancy towards receiving a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine among community pharmacists in Istanbul, Turkiye.Subject and MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted using a three-part structured validated questionnaire among community pharmacists. Vaccine hesitancy from a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was assessed using the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale.ResultsA total of 145 community pharmacists were included, with a mean age of 43.22 +/- 13.3 years. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents received the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of the participants reported significant agreement to receiving a booster dose of the vaccine (91.7%, P < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between the intention to receive a booster vaccine dose and female gender (P = 0.0008), pharmacy education degree (bachelor's degree; P < 0.0001), and work experience more than 10 years (P < 0.0001).ConclusionRegardless of side effects from the previous dose, most of pharmacists who received the COVID-19 vaccine reported an intention to receive the booster dose, which generally builds trust in vaccine acceptance and undoubtedly plays a significant role in the control of the COVID-19 pandemic.