Perceptions of non-needle-based vaccination devices in the state of Georgia

Vaccination is important for controlling infectious disease; however, there are logistical barriers associated with needle and syringe-based vaccination. Non-needle-based vaccination methods could address many of these barriers and are in pre-clinical and clinical development. New technology is sometimes followed by hesitancy, affecting acceptance and uptake, highlighting the importance of understanding the perceptions of vaccine delivery methods by potential vaccine recipients.

To understand perceptions of non-needle-based vaccination methods in the state of Georgia, we surveyed 427 Georgia residents. Respondents were asked about their perceptions of vaccines and new medical technology, willingness to accept a non-needle-based vaccine, and whether they would recommend specific vaccination devices.

Race and ethnicity were found to impact vaccine hesitancy and trust in new medical developments hesitancy. Of 427 participants, 29.3 % were more likely to accept non-needle-based devices over needle/syringe, 35.1 % were just as likely to accept, 14.4 % were unsure, and 20.6 % indicated that non-needle-based methods would not make them more likely to receive a vaccine. Race, urbanization, insurance status, vaccine hesitancy, and trust in new medical developments affected willingness to accept a non-needle-based vaccine. Needle/syringe vaccine devices were the most accepted method based on a picture and short description (77.6 %), inhaled vaccine devices were the least recommended (46.8 %); nasal spray (64.3 %), jet injector (60.0 %), skin patch (57.3 %), and oral delivery (54.0 %) were between these values.

While needle/syringe is the preferred method of vaccination, there are clear preferences among non-needle-based vaccine delivery methods; however, demographic factors that are associated should be considered as these devices move through clinical testing. Our future work will involve in-depth interviews to further identify important themes affecting vaccine acceptance in Georgia. Due to potential hesitancy, we need to strengthen our understanding of themes associated with vaccine perceptions to enable design of accurate and persuasive materials for physicians and patients.