COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Iraqi Dentists

Since it was first detected in Iraq in February 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic has spread significantly among healthcare professionals. Due to the nature of dental practices, oral health care professionals are more susceptible to infection. The COVID-19 vaccine was first administered to medically vulnerable people and healthcare personnel by the Iraqi ministry of health in March 2021. The current study sought to assess the grounds for accepting or rejecting the COVID-19 vaccine among Iraqi dentists. An anonymous google form questionnaire was distributed to dentists via e-mail and social media in October 2021. A total of 732 practicing dentists participated in the study. The questionnaire consisted of 3 sections (4 demographic questions, two behavioral questions about vaccination, and 11 questions regarding COVID-19). In general, 84.4% of respondents accept the COVID-19 vaccine and only 3.3% are against it. About 86.1% of respondents already took the COVID-19 vaccine. The participants' full justification for receiving the vaccination was safeguarding their family and friends (73%), whereas the top justification for refusing was lack of knowledge (37.4%). More efforts should be made to increase the awareness of Iraqi dentists toward the COVID-19 vaccine.