Vaccine Hesitancy: Prevalence and Strategies to Improve Uptake of Optional Vaccines Among Immunocompromised Patients and Health Care Providers

Authors

Abstract

Objective: This study was carried out for determination of vaccine hesitancy and its logics among health care providers (HCPs) across Punjab and immunocompromised patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out and collected data from 169 HCPs across Punjab and 199 immunocompromised patients from healthcare facilities associated with Gujranwala Medical College and Al-Aleem Medical College using consecutive snowball sampling method. A self-administered, valid survey form was used to obtain quantitative data. Vaccine hesitancy was defined as refusal to register or uptake an advised vaccine shot despite availability of vaccination services.

Results

  In our study sample (n=368), mean age of participants (n=368) was 35 years, and 41% participants were female. 199 participants (54.1%) were immunocompromised patients while 45.9% were HCPs. In our total study population, 151 (41.0%) were vaccine hesitant, among them 51% were HCPs. Only 129 (35.1%) participants have a positive perception & attitude towards general vaccination. The difference in prevalence of vaccine hesitancy is significant between HCPs and Immunocompromised patients (P <0.001). Analysis on Logistic regression showed male gender, younger age group, negative perception and attitude towards vaccination are significant predictors of vaccine hesitancy. Taken yearly influenza vaccine shot was found a non-significant predictor.

Conclusion

  It is concluded that vaccine hesitancy is still high among immunocompromised patients and healthcare providers. Continuous health education and media campaigns need to target young male individuals who are under influence of social media.

Keywords:

Vaccine Hesitancy, Vaccine, Immunization, Vaccine confidence, Optional vaccines, immunocompromised patients.

Published

2025/11/21

Issue

Vol. VOLUME 6-issue 4

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