Willingness of Thai adolescent to get vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019: A cross-sectional study in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Coronavirus disease 2019 has rapidly affected all aspects of life around and become a major threat to public health around the world. One of the most important actions that need to be taken to stop the pandemic is vaccinations. Managing the COVID-19 pandemic in the long term, unwillingness to receive vaccinations, and negative attitudes toward vaccines are major barriers. Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess willing of Thai adolescents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among high school students in Sacred Heart Convent School of Bangkok. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a questionnaire. A total of 80 students participated. Knowledge about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine, Risk Perception of COVID-19 infection, and Confidence in the government in handling the pandemic. Independent t-test and ANOVA were used to analyze differences between outcomes and sociodemographic. Attitudes toward vaccination were analyzed by a generalized linear model. Results: This study showed that the vaccine acceptance rate was 15% and vaccine refusal was 85%. 15% of female participants accepted to be vaccinated against COVID-19 while all-male participants refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In the age of 17 participants, 6.25% showed the highest willingness to be vaccinated. Of the students who did not vaccinate Influenza 13.75% accepted to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Of the students who live in urban areas, 51.25% and single house 66.25% refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 respectively. Conclusion: This study indicates confidence in the government in handling the pandemic influenced the willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19.