Predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 booster shots among populations from different countries

Abstract Background Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) is reported to cause significant mortalities. Vaccination has the probability to reduce the burden of COVID-19. Annual vaccination is better to be established, but vaccine reluctance has been observed among different populations. Objectives To re...

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Main Authors: Sylvana Nady Gaber, Wafaa Y. Abdel Wahed, Bismark Jampim Abrokwah, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hawamdeh, Lubna Abdelwahab Elsidigg, Ahmed A. Wegdan, Rasha H. Bassyouni
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23047-x
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author Sylvana Nady Gaber
Wafaa Y. Abdel Wahed
Bismark Jampim Abrokwah
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hawamdeh
Lubna Abdelwahab Elsidigg
Ahmed A. Wegdan
Rasha H. Bassyouni
author_facet Sylvana Nady Gaber
Wafaa Y. Abdel Wahed
Bismark Jampim Abrokwah
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hawamdeh
Lubna Abdelwahab Elsidigg
Ahmed A. Wegdan
Rasha H. Bassyouni
author_sort Sylvana Nady Gaber
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) is reported to cause significant mortalities. Vaccination has the probability to reduce the burden of COVID-19. Annual vaccination is better to be established, but vaccine reluctance has been observed among different populations. Objectives To recognize the associated factors and the predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 vaccine shots among African and Asian populations. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on a population from diverse nationalities using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression to identify predictors of vaccine hesitancy. Results A total of 502 participants from four countries: 152 Jordanians (30.3%), 145 Egyptians (28.9%), 103 Ghanaians (20.5%), and 102 Sudanese (20.3%) were included in the study. The majority were females (307, 61.2%). Egyptians show the highest willingness to receive annual COVID-19 vaccine shots (99, 68.3%), while Jordanians (68, 44.7%), Ghanaians (42, 40.8%), and Sudanese (60, 58.8%) exhibit more hesitancy or refusal. Hesitancy is higher among the younger age group (56.5%, P = 0.003) and lower education levels (55.6%, P = 0.008). Higher knowledge (OR = 0.843, p = 0.002), and a positive attitude toward vaccine administration (OR = 0.878, P < 0.001) significantly predict lower hesitancy. The fear of severe side effects (42%) was the most common cause of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions Young age and low education levels are linked with increased hesitancy toward annual COVID-19 vaccination shots. Higher knowledge, and positive attitude, and previous influenza vaccination predict annual vaccine hesitance. Public health actions in the form of awareness campaigns are needed to promote the importance of COVID-19 booster shots vaccination and address worries about safety, and side effects to efficiently reach the target young and low education group with heighten vaccine service quality on the way to build vaccine assurance and lessen hesitancy.
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spelling doaj-art-b409f4290c1c4ef79a3114de1c0ccf352025-08-20T03:22:13ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-05-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-23047-xPredictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 booster shots among populations from different countriesSylvana Nady Gaber0Wafaa Y. Abdel Wahed1Bismark Jampim Abrokwah2Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hawamdeh3Lubna Abdelwahab Elsidigg4Ahmed A. Wegdan5Rasha H. Bassyouni6Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum UniversityDepartment of Public health & Community medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum UniversityGhana Health Service/Ministry of HealthGeneral director of Jordanian Experts for trainingDirectorate of Quality, Development and Accreditation, Federal Ministry of HealthDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum UniversityDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum UniversityAbstract Background Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) is reported to cause significant mortalities. Vaccination has the probability to reduce the burden of COVID-19. Annual vaccination is better to be established, but vaccine reluctance has been observed among different populations. Objectives To recognize the associated factors and the predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 vaccine shots among African and Asian populations. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted on a population from diverse nationalities using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression to identify predictors of vaccine hesitancy. Results A total of 502 participants from four countries: 152 Jordanians (30.3%), 145 Egyptians (28.9%), 103 Ghanaians (20.5%), and 102 Sudanese (20.3%) were included in the study. The majority were females (307, 61.2%). Egyptians show the highest willingness to receive annual COVID-19 vaccine shots (99, 68.3%), while Jordanians (68, 44.7%), Ghanaians (42, 40.8%), and Sudanese (60, 58.8%) exhibit more hesitancy or refusal. Hesitancy is higher among the younger age group (56.5%, P = 0.003) and lower education levels (55.6%, P = 0.008). Higher knowledge (OR = 0.843, p = 0.002), and a positive attitude toward vaccine administration (OR = 0.878, P < 0.001) significantly predict lower hesitancy. The fear of severe side effects (42%) was the most common cause of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions Young age and low education levels are linked with increased hesitancy toward annual COVID-19 vaccination shots. Higher knowledge, and positive attitude, and previous influenza vaccination predict annual vaccine hesitance. Public health actions in the form of awareness campaigns are needed to promote the importance of COVID-19 booster shots vaccination and address worries about safety, and side effects to efficiently reach the target young and low education group with heighten vaccine service quality on the way to build vaccine assurance and lessen hesitancy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23047-xAnnual COVID-19Booster shotsVaccine hesitancy
spellingShingle Sylvana Nady Gaber
Wafaa Y. Abdel Wahed
Bismark Jampim Abrokwah
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hawamdeh
Lubna Abdelwahab Elsidigg
Ahmed A. Wegdan
Rasha H. Bassyouni
Predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 booster shots among populations from different countries
BMC Public Health
Annual COVID-19
Booster shots
Vaccine hesitancy
title Predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 booster shots among populations from different countries
title_full Predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 booster shots among populations from different countries
title_fullStr Predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 booster shots among populations from different countries
title_full_unstemmed Predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 booster shots among populations from different countries
title_short Predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual COVID-19 booster shots among populations from different countries
title_sort predictors affecting vaccine hesitancy towards annual covid 19 booster shots among populations from different countries
topic Annual COVID-19
Booster shots
Vaccine hesitancy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23047-x
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