Acceptability of COVID-19 Booster Vaccine in Malaysia: a Cross-sectional Study

Overview

Journal Sci Rep

Specialty Science

Date 2024 Apr 10

PMID 38600166

Authors

Cheryl Minn Jee Khoo

Eve Zhi Qing Dea

Li Yeow Law

Sharon Siew Tong Wong

Khuen Yen Ng

Athirah Bakhtiar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Despite the high efficacy and safety demonstrated in clinical trials, COVID-19 booster vaccination rates in Malaysia remain below 50% among the general public. This study explores the factors influencing public acceptance of the COVID-19 booster vaccine among the Malaysian population. The questionnaire included variables on sociodemographics, knowledge, and the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs. Based on the Chi-squared test of contingencies, a t-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis on 411 collected responses, the findings revealed that older participants, individuals of Chinese ethnicity, and those with higher education levels and incomes were more willing to accept booster vaccinations. The analysis further identified perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived barriers as significant predictors influencing booster vaccination acceptance rates. Healthcare policymakers may consider targeting interventions to diminish the obstacles associated with booster vaccinations. These intervention strategies include implementing health intervention programmes, such as public health awareness initiatives, to raise awareness of the risks and severity of COVID-19, ultimately encouraging higher uptake of booster vaccines.

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