Can We Persuade Those Who Hesitate to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine studies are continuing in many centers. However, the public's preference for vaccination against COVID-19 is not clear. This study aims to determine the knowledge level of people about vaccines developed against the COVID-19 and their preferences for vaccination.

Participants' knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines was evaluated with a questionnaire. Participants were selected by a stratified method using age, gender, education, and occupation group.

The study includes 1508 participants with a mean age of 38.97 ± 14.50 (min = 18, max = 82); 24.7% (n = 373) of the participants stated that they wanted to be vaccinated, 34.5% (n = 521) did not want to be vaccinated, and 40.7% (n = 614) stated that they were undecided about vaccination; 39.11% (n = 444) of the participants stated that they were afraid of the vaccine's side effects, and 19.55% (n = 222) thought that the vaccines produced were used for malicious purposes and hesitated to vaccinate; 7.57% (n = 86) of the participants stated that they thought the vaccines were rushed too much and not yet reassuring.

The study results show that individuals are hesitant and unwilling to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Persuasion interventions and information are necessary, as the rate of those who accept vaccination is very low.