AlAwadhi, Eiman, Zein, Dina, Mallallah, Fatmah, Bin Haider, Nour and Hossain, Anower (2021) Monitoring COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Kuwait during the pandemic : results from a national serial study. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 14 . pp. 1413-1429. doi:10.2147/RMHP.S300602 ISSN 1179-1594.

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Abstract

Background: With COVD-19 cases on the rise globally and two approved vaccines, determining vaccine acceptance is imperative to avoid low inoculation rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes and determinants of vaccine acceptance among citizens and non-citizens, over time during the pandemic in Kuwait.

Methods: Data were obtained from the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO Kuwait) study that was implemented according to the WHO tool for behavioral insights on COVID-19. Data was collected online, every two weeks throughout the pandemic. Individuals living in Kuwait during the pandemic were surveyed, representing an independent sample of the population during each data collection wave.

Results: A total of 7241 adults living in Kuwait participated. Sixty-seven percent of those participating agreed to take a vaccine if it was available and recommended. However, the proportion of vaccine acceptance drastically dropped overtime as COVID-19 related restrictions were eased, among citizens (73 to 47%) and noncitizens (80 to 60%). Some factors associated with increased odds of agreeing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, among citizens and non-citizens, included increased frequency of informing oneself about the virus (OR, 1.34– 1.83; 95% confidence interval 1.16– 2.55), having high versus low confidence in doctors (OR, 1.79– 2.11; CI 1.17– 3.80), increased agreement with containment policies (OR, 1.11– 1.27; CI 1.05– 1.41), expressing more fears and worries (OR, 1.05– 1.12; 1.01– 1.24), and the increased perceived likelihood of getting infected with influenza (OR, 1.3– 1.4; CI 1.03– 1.84). Decreased odds of agreement were associated with increased age (OR, 0.37– 0.61; CI 0.26– 0.95), being female (OR, 0.56– 0.62; CI 0.43– 0.73), and not taking the influenza vaccine in 2019 (OR, 0.61; CI 0.43– 0.87).

Conclusion: Vaccine acceptance was multifactorial, heterogenous among citizens and non-citizens, and changed over time. While acceptance was relatively high, it decreased throughout the pandemic and as restrictions in the country loosened. This increase in vaccine hesitancy reveals a challenge in achieving high inoculation levels, and the need for effective vaccine-promotion campaigns and increased health education in the country.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	COVID-19 (Disease) -- Vaccination -- Kuwait, COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- -- Kuwait, Vaccine hesitancy, Vaccines -- Kuwait
Journal or Publication Title:	Risk Management and Healthcare Policy
Publisher:	Dove Press
ISSN:	1179-1594
Official Date:	8 April 2021
Dates:	Date Event 8 April 2021 Published 26 February 2021 Accepted
Volume:	14
Page Range:	pp. 1413-1429
DOI:	10.2147/RMHP.S300602
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit:	25 January 2023
Date of first compliant Open Access:	26 January 2023

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