Role of Trust in Receiving or not Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine

Public confidence in receiving the vaccine is essential for the success of communities in controlling COVID-19. The aim of this study was to determine the role of trust in receiving or not receiving COVID-19 vaccine among the people of Bushehr province, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was performed on the fifth wave of coronavirus (delta strain) in Iran. Data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed among adults in Bushehr province (over 18 years old) for two weeks (July 25 to August 8, 2021). The questionnaire included 5 demographic questions and 19 main questions in the form of three dimensions of trust in vaccines, trust in vaccine manufacturers, and trust in government and health authorities.

384 people submitted a completed questionnaire. Mean trust in vaccine products was 3.34±1.08, trust in vaccine manufacturers was 3.12±0.29, trust in government and health officials was 3.24±0.38 and overall trust was 3.23±0.48. The relationship between trust and its dimensions with receiving or not receiving the vaccine was confirmed (p <0.05). Among those who received the vaccine, trust in the vaccine (4.18), manufacturers (3.18), and health officials (3.41) were good, but among those who did not receive the vaccine, trust in the vaccine (2.07) Manufacturers (3.03) and health officials (2.98) were recorded as weak, moderate and moderate, respectively. The relationship between gender, education, age, underlying disease, and history of COVID-19 with or without vaccination was also confirmed (p <0.05).

Among the respondents, those who had higher trust in the vaccine, manufacturers, and government and health officials received the vaccine, which shows the importance of trust in vaccination. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the options of building trust for the success of the national vaccination.