Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Adult Iraqi Population Towards COVID-19 Booster Dose: A Cross-Sectional Study

Walid Al-Qerem,1 Anan Jarab,2 Alaa Hammad,1 Alaa Hussein Alsajri,3,4 Shadan Waleed Al-Hishma,3 Jonathan Ling,5 Asal Saad Alabdullah,6 Ali Salama,7 Rami Mosleh8 1Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 3Specialized Bone Marrow Transplant Center, Baghdad, Iraq; 4University of Sains Malaysia, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Penang, Malaysia; 5Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Wellbeing University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK; 6Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 7Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan; 8Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, PalestineCorrespondence: Rami Mosleh, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, PO Box 7, Nablus, Palestine, Tel +970 592859300, Email r.musleh@najah.eduPurpose: COVID-19 vaccines are critical for containing the pandemic and preventing serious SARS-CoV-2 infections. In addition to the two main doses, a booster dose has been utilized to improve immunity. The aim of current study is to evaluate Iraqi adult population knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 booster dose.Subjects and Methods: This online cross-sectional survey of adult Iraqis (n = 754) assessed the attitudes of people who have had both immunizations regarding a potential COVID-19 vaccine booster dosage and to identify potential factors that might impact these attitudes. Factors evaluated in the current study included previously received vaccine type in the first two doses, socioeconomic characteristics, health status, knowledge about COVID-19 and its vaccines and adherence to protective practices.Results: Overall, 61.1% of participants expressed willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster dose, with a high media