Drivers for Decision Change in Getting Vaccinated against COVID-19: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• A significant portion of the vaccinated population initially hesitated but later decided to get vaccinated.
• The Philippines achieved a 77.8% COVID-19 vaccination rate by October 2022.
• Understanding factors influencing vaccination decisions is crucial for improving public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors influencing positive shifts in vaccination decisions.
• To provide insights for enhancing vaccine uptake in the population.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted in the Philippines among adults aged 18-80.
• Data was collected between March and April 2022.
• Decision change was the primary outcome, analyzed using logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Younger individuals and those with college degrees showed a higher likelihood of changing their vaccination decisions.
• Employer vaccination requirements significantly impacted decision-making due to livelihood concerns.
• Elevated vaccine confidence (aOR=1.181) and awareness (aOR=1.318) were strongly associated with positive decision changes.

Conclusions:

• Younger age, higher education, and employment mandates are associated with increased vaccine acceptance.
• High levels of vaccine confidence and awareness are critical drivers for positive vaccination decisions.
• These findings can inform targeted interventions to boost vaccination rates.