Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Korea.

Authors :: Kweon SS
Yun I
Choi C
Ryu SY
Cho JH
Shin MH
Source :: Chonnam medical journal [Chonnam Med J] 2022 Jan; Vol. 58 (1), pp. 43-47. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Jan 25.
Publication Year :: 2022
Abstract: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy will likely increase in the unvaccinated general population because of several vaccine safety issues that arose during priority vaccination. To investigate the potential rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the unvaccinated population and evaluate factors that affect the attitude towards vaccine acceptance, a cross-sectional survey was performed. A telephone survey was conducted in 1,357 people older than 18 years; 99 were excluded from the analysis because they had already been vaccinated (n=58) or hesitated (n=41) after an official call. The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy rate was 21.9% and was highest among those aged under 30 years (33.4%) and lowest among those aged 65 years and over (8.7%). Age, occupation, and perceived confidence in vaccine safety and efficacy were associated with vaccine hesitancy. These findings suggest that public health authorities should strengthen the spread of correct information, especially in the younger population, to increase vaccination rates.<br />Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: None declared.<br /> (© Chonnam Medical Journal, 2022.)