Vaccination hesitancy among adults in the United Arab Emirates: A vaccine attitudes examination scale study

ABSTRACT

Background: Vaccine hesitancy has been on the rise leading to a resurgence of multiple vaccine-preventable diseases. Results on vaccine hesitancy are scarce, both globally and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to explore the level of vaccine hesitancy and its determinants in the UAE's community, as well as the general attitudes and practices towards adult vaccination. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling. The questionnaire used the Vaccine Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale and was distributed between June and August 2021. The responses were imported into python for statistical analysis, including univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. Results: 1072 responses were included in the final analysis. 28.82% had received the influenza vaccine (n=309) and 75.47% received the COVID-19 vaccine (n=809). The most common vaccine knowledge source reported was official health authorities at 63.43% (n=680) followed by healthcare professionals (57.09%, n=612), and internet/social media (41.7%, n=447). The two main worries about the vaccines were about long-term effects (46.92%, n=503) and the vaccine being developed too fast (33.49%, n=359). VAX scale showed that more vaccine hesitancy was driven by worry about future side effects and preference for natural immunity. Multivariate analysis showed that vaccine hesitancy decreased with the willingness to receive influenza, using the internet as a knowledge source, being a non-local Arab, being married, and having taken the influenza vaccine as an adult. On the other hand, higher educational level and being middle-aged predicted higher vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy exists in the UAE and is a function of many variables. Public health interventions are needed to expand vaccine uptake and coverage, including addressing the public concerns of safety, efficacy, and side effects.

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• DOI10.18549/PharmPract.2024.4.3052Copy

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