Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in a high infection-rate country: a cross-sectional study in Russia

Tran, Van D.; Pak, Tatiana V.; Gribkova, Elena I.; Galkina, Galina A.; Loskutova, Ekaterina E.; Dorofeeva, Valeria V.; Dewey, Rebecca S.; Nguyen, Kien T.; Pham, Duy T.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 vaccine development is proceeding at an unprecedented pace. Once COVID-19 vaccines become widely available, it will be necessary to maximize public vaccine acceptance and coverage.

Objective: This research aimed to analyze the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Russia.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Russian adults from September 26th to November 9th, 2020. Predictors of the intent to take up COVID-19 vaccination were explored using logistic regression.

Results: Out of 876 participants, 365 (41.7%) would be willing to receive the vaccine if it became available. Acceptance increased for a vaccine with verified safety and effectiveness (63.2%). Intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was relatively higher among males (aOR=2.37, 95% CI 1.41-4.00), people with lower monthly income (aOR=2.94, 95%CI 1.32-6.57), and with positive trust in the healthcare system (aOR=2.73, 95% CI 1.76-4.24). The Russian people were more likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine if they believed that the vaccine reduces the risk of virus infection (aOR=8.80, 95%CI 5.21-14.87) or relieves the complications of the disease (aOR=10.46, 95%CI 6.09-17.96). Other barriers such as being unconcerned about side-effects (aOR=1.65, 95%CI 1.03-2.65) and the effectiveness and safety of the vaccination (aOR=2.55, 95%CI 1.60-4.08), also affected acceptance.

Conclusions: The study showed the usefulness of the health belief model constructs in understanding the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate in the Russian population. This rate was influenced by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, and health beliefs. These findings might help guide future efforts for policymakers and stakeholders to improve vaccination rates by enhancing trust in the healthcare system.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 22, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 22, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Deposit Date: Mar 28, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 19, 2021
• Journal: Pharmacy Practice
• Print ISSN: 1886-3655
• Electronic ISSN: 1885-642X
• Publisher: Centro de Investigaciones y Publicaciones Farmaceuticas
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 2276
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.18549/pharmpract.2021.1.2276
• Keywords: Pharmaceutical Science
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5421508
• Publisher URL: pharmacypractice.org/journal/index.php/pp/article/view/2276