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Revisiting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy around the world using data from 23 countries in 2021

Author

Listed:
  • Jeffrey V. Lazarus

    (University of Barcelona
    City University of New York (CUNY))

  • Katarzyna Wyka

    (City University of New York (CUNY))

  • Trenton M. White

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Camila A. Picchio

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Kenneth Rabin

    (City University of New York (CUNY))

  • Scott C. Ratzan

    (City University of New York (CUNY))

  • Jeanna Parsons Leigh

    (Dalhousie University)

  • Jia Hu

    (University of Calgary)

  • Ayman El-Mohandes

    (City University of New York (CUNY))

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact daily life, including health system operations, despite the availability of vaccines that are effective in greatly reducing the risks of death and severe disease. Misperceptions of COVID-19 vaccine safety, efficacy, risks, and mistrust in institutions responsible for vaccination campaigns have been reported as factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy. This study investigated COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy globally in June 2021. Nationally representative samples of 1,000 individuals from 23 countries were surveyed. Data were analyzed descriptively, and weighted multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore associations with vaccine hesitancy. Here, we show that more than three-fourths (75.2%) of the 23,000 respondents report vaccine acceptance, up from 71.5% one year earlier. Across all countries, vaccine hesitancy is associated with a lack of trust in COVID-19 vaccine safety and science, and skepticism about its efficacy. Vaccine hesitant respondents are also highly resistant to required proof of vaccination; 31.7%, 20%, 15%, and 14.8% approve requiring it for access to international travel, indoor activities, employment, and public schools, respectively. For ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaigns to succeed in improving coverage going forward, substantial challenges remain to be overcome. These include increasing vaccination among those reporting lower vaccine confidence in addition to expanding vaccine access in low- and middle-income countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey V. Lazarus & Katarzyna Wyka & Trenton M. White & Camila A. Picchio & Kenneth Rabin & Scott C. Ratzan & Jeanna Parsons Leigh & Jia Hu & Ayman El-Mohandes, 2022. "Revisiting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy around the world using data from 23 countries in 2021," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31441-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31441-x
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    2. Vilmantė Pakalniškienė & Antanas Kairys & Vytautas Jurkuvėnas & Vita Mikuličiūtė & Viktorija Ivleva, 2022. "Could Belief in Fake News Predict Vaccination Behavior in the Elderly?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Wen Jiao & Peter Johannes Schulz & Angela Chang, 2024. "Addressing the role of eHealth literacy in shaping popular attitudes towards post-COVID-19 vaccination among Chinese adults," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Mathieu Juliot Mpabe Bodjongo, 2024. "How to increase acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among poor people in Africa?," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 173-210, June.
    5. Sahabi Kabir Sulaiman & Muhammad Sale Musa & Fatimah Isma’il Tsiga-Ahmed & Abdulwahab Kabir Sulaiman & Abdulaziz Tijjani Bako, 2024. "A systematic review and meta-analysis of the global prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in people living with HIV," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 100-114, January.
    6. Yue Su & Sijia Li & Feng Huang & Jia Xue & Tingshao Zhu, 2023. "Exploring the Influencing Factors of COVID-19 Vaccination Willingness among Young Adults in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, February.
    7. Holger Strulik & Volker Grossmann, 2024. "Beyond Covid: Pandemics and the Economics of Aging and Longevity," CESifo Working Paper Series 11104, CESifo.
    8. Tuomo Hartonen & Bradley Jermy & Hanna Sõnajalg & Pekka Vartiainen & Kristi Krebs & Andrius Vabalas & Tuija Leino & Hanna Nohynek & Jonas Sivelä & Reedik Mägi & Mark Daly & Hanna M. Ollila & Lili Mila, 2023. "Nationwide health, socio-economic and genetic predictors of COVID-19 vaccination status in Finland," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 7(7), pages 1069-1083, July.
    9. Jiehu Yuan & Yucan Xu & Irene Oi Ling Wong & Wendy Wing Tak Lam & Michael Y. Ni & Benjamin J. Cowling & Qiuyan Liao, 2024. "Dynamic predictors of COVID-19 vaccination uptake and their interconnections over two years in Hong Kong," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.

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