Influences on Attitudes Regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, with the United States being highly affected. A vaccine provides the best hope for a permanent solution to controlling the pandemic. However, to be effective, a vaccine must be accepted and used by a large majority of the population. The aim of th...

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Main Authors: Kendall Pogue, Jamie L. Jensen, Carter K. Stancil, Daniel G. Ferguson, Savannah J. Hughes, Emily J. Mello, Ryan Burgess, Bradford K. Berges, Abraham Quaye, Brian D. Poole
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-10-01
Series:Vaccines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/8/4/582
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author Kendall Pogue
Jamie L. Jensen
Carter K. Stancil
Daniel G. Ferguson
Savannah J. Hughes
Emily J. Mello
Ryan Burgess
Bradford K. Berges
Abraham Quaye
Brian D. Poole
author_facet Kendall Pogue
Jamie L. Jensen
Carter K. Stancil
Daniel G. Ferguson
Savannah J. Hughes
Emily J. Mello
Ryan Burgess
Bradford K. Berges
Abraham Quaye
Brian D. Poole
author_sort Kendall Pogue
collection DOAJ
description The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, with the United States being highly affected. A vaccine provides the best hope for a permanent solution to controlling the pandemic. However, to be effective, a vaccine must be accepted and used by a large majority of the population. The aim of this study was to understand the attitudes towards and obstacles facing vaccination with a potential COVID-19 vaccine. To measure these attitudes a survey was administered to 316 respondents across the United States by a survey corporation. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships of several factors with attitudes toward potential COVID-19 vaccination. Prior vaccine usage and attitudes predicted attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. Assessment of the severity of COVID-19 for the United States was also predictive. Approximately 68% of all respondents were supportive of being vaccinated for COVID-19, but side effects, efficacy and length of testing remained concerns. Longer testing, increased efficacy and development in the United States were significantly associated with increased vaccine acceptance. Messages promoting COVID-19 vaccination should seek to alleviate the concerns of those who are already vaccine-hesitant. Messaging directed at the benefits of vaccination for the United States as a country would address the second predictive factor. Enough time should be taken to allay concerns about both short- and long-term side effects before a vaccine is released.
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spelling doaj.art-79896897f2cd4a8bbb6f9d29dd629aed2023-11-20T15:57:44ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2020-10-018458210.3390/vaccines8040582Influences on Attitudes Regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United StatesKendall Pogue0Jamie L. Jensen1Carter K. Stancil2Daniel G. Ferguson3Savannah J. Hughes4Emily J. Mello5Ryan Burgess6Bradford K. Berges7Abraham Quaye8Brian D. Poole9Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USADepartment of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USADepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USADepartment of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USADepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USADepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USADepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USADepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USADepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USADepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USAThe COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, with the United States being highly affected. A vaccine provides the best hope for a permanent solution to controlling the pandemic. However, to be effective, a vaccine must be accepted and used by a large majority of the population. The aim of this study was to understand the attitudes towards and obstacles facing vaccination with a potential COVID-19 vaccine. To measure these attitudes a survey was administered to 316 respondents across the United States by a survey corporation. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships of several factors with attitudes toward potential COVID-19 vaccination. Prior vaccine usage and attitudes predicted attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. Assessment of the severity of COVID-19 for the United States was also predictive. Approximately 68% of all respondents were supportive of being vaccinated for COVID-19, but side effects, efficacy and length of testing remained concerns. Longer testing, increased efficacy and development in the United States were significantly associated with increased vaccine acceptance. Messages promoting COVID-19 vaccination should seek to alleviate the concerns of those who are already vaccine-hesitant. Messaging directed at the benefits of vaccination for the United States as a country would address the second predictive factor. Enough time should be taken to allay concerns about both short- and long-term side effects before a vaccine is released.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/8/4/582COVID-19vaccine hesitancyvaccine attitudesvaccine developmentSARS-CoV-2
spellingShingle Kendall Pogue
Jamie L. Jensen
Carter K. Stancil
Daniel G. Ferguson
Savannah J. Hughes
Emily J. Mello
Ryan Burgess
Bradford K. Berges
Abraham Quaye
Brian D. Poole
Influences on Attitudes Regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States
Vaccines
COVID-19
vaccine hesitancy
vaccine attitudes
vaccine development
SARS-CoV-2
title Influences on Attitudes Regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States
title_full Influences on Attitudes Regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States
title_fullStr Influences on Attitudes Regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States
title_full_unstemmed Influences on Attitudes Regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States
title_short Influences on Attitudes Regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States
title_sort influences on attitudes regarding potential covid 19 vaccination in the united states
topic COVID-19
vaccine hesitancy
vaccine attitudes
vaccine development
SARS-CoV-2
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/8/4/582
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