JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis, and vaccines are the most effective means of preventing severe consequences of this disease. Hesitancy regarding vaccines persists among adults in the U.S., despite overwhelming scientific evidence of safety and efficacy.

Objective:

To examine demographic and theory-based factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among a sample of adults in the U.S.

Methods:

This study examined demographic and theory-based factors associated with vaccine uptake and intentions among 1643 adults in the U.S. who completed an online survey during February and March, 2021. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between vaccine uptake/intent and demographic and theory-based factors.

Results:

The majority of participants were male (59.3%), White (82.0%), non-Hispanic (92.4%), and reported they had already received a COVID-19 vaccine or definitely would, when it was available to them (79.5%). The theory-based factors most strongly associated with uptake/intention were attitudes (AOR=3.72; 95%CI=2.42, 5.73), self-efficacy (AOR=1.75; 95%CI=1.34, 2.29), and concerns about side effects (AOR=0.59; 95%CI=0.46, 0.76). While race and political ideology were significant in the model of demographic characteristics, they were not significant when controlling for attitudes and beliefs.

Conclusions:

Before vaccine hesitancy can be addressed, researchers must understand the basis of vaccine hesitancy and which populations may show higher hesitancy to the vaccination so interventions can be adequately targeted.