Exploring perception and hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccine: A study from Jordan

Figures & data

Table 1. Demographic characteristics of the study sample at baseline (n = 1287)

Parameter	Mean (SD)	n (%)
Age (years)	30.1 (9.7)
Gender Female Male		734 (57.0) 553 (43.0)
Educational level High school or primary school University or graduate degrees		394 (30.6) 893 (69.4)
Marital status, n (%) Married None-married (single, divorced, widowed)		619 (48.1) 668 (51.9)
Nationality Jordanian Other		1229 (95.5) 58 (4.5)
Place of residence South Jordan Middle Jordan North Jordan		42 (3.3) 193 (15.0) 1052 (81.7)

Figure 1. Participants’ experience with COVID-19 infection (n = 1287)

Figure 2. Public information sources about COVID-19 vaccine (n = 1287)

Table 2. Public perception toward COVID-19 vaccine development (n = 1287)

Statements	Strongly agree/agree	Neutral	Strongly disagree/Disagree
Scientists have the tools/potential to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccine	871 (67.7)	366 (28.4)	50 (3.8)
The development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine can end this pandemic successfully	861 (66.7)	373 (29.0)	53 (4.1)
In order to expedite the development of an effective COVID-19 vaccines, legislations that govern its assessment should be relaxed	827 (64.3)	414 (32.2)	46 (3.6)
If a vaccine passes through a shortened assessment and approval period at a time of emergency (pandemic), it should be subject to longer monitoring than what is applied during normal circumstances	826 (64.2)	401 (31.2)	60 (4.7)

Table 3. Public perceived reasons for hesitancy/refusal to try any new COVID-19 vaccine (n = 1287)

Statements	Strongly agree/agree	Neutral	Strongly disagree/Disagree
I’m concerned of the adverse effects of a COVID-19 vaccine	781 (60.7)	379 (29.4)	127 (9.9)
My religious and/or cultural beliefs are against vaccination	259 (20.1)	548 (42.6)	480 (37.3)
I have my doubts in the effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine	570 (44.3)	556 (43.2)	161 (12.5)
I do not have adequate information on the benefits of vaccination and/or the harms of a COVID-19 infection	665 (51.7)	447 (34.7)	175 (13.6)
The financial costs of the vaccine are high	589 (45.8)	537 (41.7)	171 (13.3)
I am allergic to one of the approved vaccines against other diseases thus I will not receive a COVID-19 vaccine	290 (22.5)	542 (42.1)	455 (35.4)
I’m concerned of the stigma surrounding the receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine	300 (23.3)	538 (41.8)	449 (34.9)
I prefer a more “natural way” to become immune against COVID-19	826 (64.2)	477 (37.1)	129 (10.0)
I do not trust the healthcare system and/or pharmaceutical industry	462 (35.9)	577 (44.8)	248 (19.3)
I have preexisting medical conditions that would lower my immunity and prevent me from receiving vaccines.	302 (23.5)	522 (40.6)	463 (36.0)
Vaccines in general lower fertility and should be avoided	350 (27.2)	685 (53.2)	252 (19.6)
Mean hesitancy score ± SD	56.2 ± 16.0

SD: standard deviation.

Table 4. Assessment of factors affecting participants’ COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (n = 1287)

	Hesitancy score
Parameter	Beta	P-value#	Beta	P-value$
Age (years)	−0.102	<0.001	−0.066	0.059
Gender Female Male	Reference 0.010	0.723	–	–
Educational level High school or primary school University or graduate degrees	Reference -0.015	0.583	–	–
Marital status, n (%) Married None-married (single, divorced, widowed)	Reference 0.087	0.002	0.041	0.236
Nationality Jordanian Others	Reference -0.062	0.025	−0.063	0.022*
Have you been infected and diagnosed with COVID-19? Yes No	Reference -0.176	<0.001	−0.147	<0.001
Has someone you know died with COVID-19? Yes No	Reference -0.118	<0.001	−0.065	0.026*

# using simple linear regression, $ using multiple linear regression, * significant at 0.05 significance level.