Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination acceptance when knowing potential side effects A study in Colombia
Keywords:
COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, Vaccination, Vaccination hesitancy, Bodymass Index, Body Mass Index, Safety, Patient acceptanceArticle Sidebar
Main Article Content
Aim: This study examined the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Colombia, with particular emphasis on individuals’ responses following the experience of possible side effects.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire in Colombia (January–March 2023). The ad hoc survey collected sociodemographic data, COVID-19 history, vaccination status, and adverse effects. The main outcome was willingness to be vaccinated again. Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression (aOR, 95% CI) were performed (p < 0.05).
Results: The 40.2% of respondents expressed doubts or would have rejected vaccination had they known about possible side effects beforehand. Women were more likely to harbor doubts or reject the vaccine after experiencing adverse effects. Participants who experienced side effects were more likely to question their decision to vaccinate. Younger individuals were less likely than older adults to develop negative attitudes after experiencing side effects. Those who had received only one dose were more likely to doubt or reject further vaccination, whereas individuals with multiple doses were less likely to do so. Participants with asymptomatic COVID-19 were less likely to refuse vaccination after learning about potential side effects, possibly due to greater trust in their immune system or a stronger desire to protect others.
Conclusions: A total of 40.2% would have hesitated or refused vaccination if aware of side effects. Hesitancy was associated with female sex, adverse effects, and fewer doses, while younger age was linked to higher acceptance. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to improve vaccine confidence.
Juan Pablo Álvarez Najar, University of the Llanos
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0875-9244
Universidad de Zaragoza, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Zaragoza, Spain
Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Colombia
Isabel Iguacel, University of Zaragoza
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4242-5464
University of Zaragoza
Dr. Isabel Iguacel is a medical doctor and researcher at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, where she serves as Vice Dean for International Relations. She also lectures in the Master’s Degree in Social Gerontology, coordinating the module “Family and Care in Dementia”, with a focus on the medical aspects of caregiving and ageing.
Her research interests include public health, nutrition, and mental health, with a special focus on community health promotion, gender and intersectionality, and the integration of health and social care services in rural settings. She is actively involved in European projects aimed at strengthening community networks for health promotion and reducing social and territorial inequalities in health.
Begoña Martínez-Jarreta, University of Zaragoza
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6469-9189
Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de Zaragoza
Sergio Couto-Alfonso, University of Zaragoza
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6068-1231
Enfermero e investigador en la Universidad de Zaragoza
Ignacio de Blas, University of Zaragoza
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1204-4356
Facultad de Veterinaria Universidad de Zaragoza
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