Covid-19 Vaccination Hesitancy Among Filipinos

Abstract

What factors affect feelings of hesitancy of Filipinos against Covid-19 vaccination? The results of this study were derived from a combination of surveys and interviews done in 2021 during the early stages of distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine in the Philippines. Considering previous research on Covid-19 vaccine perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge, vaccination hesitancy and vaccine confidence and complacency were quantitatively collected and analyzed along with sociodemographic factors of various income groups, sources of information, and experience of historical trauma among the participants. Results identified and explored on the various factors associated with the Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among Filipinos. The findings indicated that there was a significant difference between the levels of vaccine hesitancy among Filipinos in terms of variations in socioeconomic status and educational attainment. Results from the qualitative data collected from low income groups with little to no educational attainment also revealed themes such as negative attitudes towards the covid-19 vaccine, low perceived benefit of covid-19 vaccine, autonomy from government and health institutions, and distrust towards positive information. Suggestive evidence also pointed the researcher into producing possible strategies to improve the covid-19 vaccine intake among Filipinos.