Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran (MJIRI)
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Thu, Nov 7, 2024
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Volume 38, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Med J Islam Repub Iran 2024 |
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Nazari Kangavari H, Hajebi A, Peyrovi H, Salehi M, Taghdisi M H, Motevalian A. Vaccine Refusal and Hesitancy among Iranians Participated in the National COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Survey: A Qualitative Study. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2024; 38 (1) :327-335
URL: http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8946-en.html
URL: http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8946-en.html
Hajar Nazari Kangavari 
, Ahmad Hajebi , Hamid Peyrovi , Masoud Salehi , Mohammad Hossein Taghdisi , Abbas Motevalian
, Ahmad Hajebi , Hamid Peyrovi , Masoud Salehi , Mohammad Hossein Taghdisi , Abbas Motevalian
Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial HealthResearch Institute (PHRI), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , motevalian.a@iums.ac.ir
Abstract: (443 Views)
Background: Success in COVID-19 vaccination depends on understanding why people refuse or hesitate to take the vaccine. This study aims to explore vaccine refusal and hesitancy among Iranians who participated in the national COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy survey.
Methods: A qualitative content analysis approach was used. Twenty-six participants were selected by purposive sampling. In-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted during the year 2022. A directed content analysis approach was used for analyzing the data by extracting the codes, subcategories, and categories.
Results: Four major categories and their respective subcategories related to refusal and/ or hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccination emerged: “lack of confidence” (distrust in policymakers and pharmaceutical companies, distrust in national media, belief in conspiracy theory, and lack of confidence in the vaccine's safety and effectiveness), “complacency” (Fatalism and philosophical beliefs, low perceived risk, and belief in the adequacy of the precautionary principles), “constrains” (personal and psychological barriers), and “coercion” (coercion by relatives and unsteady imposed mandatory vaccination by the government).
Conclusion: Distrust, fatalism, low perceived risk, and overconfidence in traditional Persian medicine were important barriers to COVID-19 vaccine acceptability needing a variety of measures for improving COVID-19 vaccine uptake, including enhancing public trust in government and policymakers, clarifying vaccine safety and effectiveness, dealing with religious fatalism, and regulating anti-science messages on social media.
Methods: A qualitative content analysis approach was used. Twenty-six participants were selected by purposive sampling. In-depth, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted during the year 2022. A directed content analysis approach was used for analyzing the data by extracting the codes, subcategories, and categories.
Results: Four major categories and their respective subcategories related to refusal and/ or hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccination emerged: “lack of confidence” (distrust in policymakers and pharmaceutical companies, distrust in national media, belief in conspiracy theory, and lack of confidence in the vaccine's safety and effectiveness), “complacency” (Fatalism and philosophical beliefs, low perceived risk, and belief in the adequacy of the precautionary principles), “constrains” (personal and psychological barriers), and “coercion” (coercion by relatives and unsteady imposed mandatory vaccination by the government).
Conclusion: Distrust, fatalism, low perceived risk, and overconfidence in traditional Persian medicine were important barriers to COVID-19 vaccine acceptability needing a variety of measures for improving COVID-19 vaccine uptake, including enhancing public trust in government and policymakers, clarifying vaccine safety and effectiveness, dealing with religious fatalism, and regulating anti-science messages on social media.
Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Epidemiology
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