A community-based study in the central district of Giresun: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

Thanks to immunization strategies, which is a multistakeholder process that includes scientific, political, and nongovernmental organizational pillars, deaths and the risk of severe disease caused by COVID-19 infection are prevented. However, to prevent the losses caused by vaccine hesitancy, it is important to reveal the causes. We aimed to determine the frequency of vaccine hesitancy in individuals registered in the central district of Giresun, Turkey, and to investigate the related factors. In this cross-sectional study, the sample was selected from the population aged over 18 years, who were eligible for COVID-19 vaccination but had not been vaccinated. The systematic sampling method was used to select the participants (n = 422) from a list of the entire population (n = 12,055). The dependent variable was "COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy." Data were analyzed using the SPSS 22 software; descriptive, Chi-square, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. The rate of vaccine hesitancy was 58.9%. Vaccine hesitancy was higher in those who were old, employed, and had not been infected with COVID-19. After being given information, 55.8% of those who hesitated and 12.4% of those who resisted were convinced. Distrust in vaccines was the most frequent cause of vaccine hesitancy (32.5%). It was found that vaccine hesitancy was two times higher in those who had not had COVID-19 [OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.13-3.369], and 1.7 times higher in those who were employed [OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.06-2.74]. The fight against vaccine hesitancy and resistance must be based on active information, guidance, confidence, and a thorough understanding of the reasons.