Factors affecting nurses' intention to accept the COVID‐19 vaccine: A cross‐sectional study

Rabi, Razan; Maraqa, Beesan; Nazzal, Zaher; Zink, Therese

OBJECTIVE: To measure COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance and related factors to undercover nurses' concerns and fears. DESIGN: A cross‐sectional study. SAMPLE: The study included 639 nurses; 83% were women and 80% under 50 years. MEASUREMENT: A self‐administered questionnaire was used. It included demographic characteristics, COVID‐19‐related fears and concerns, COVID‐19 vaccine perceived benefits, and intention toward getting the vaccine. RESULTS: Forty percent of the nurses planned to get the vaccine when available, 41% would take it later when adequate protection and safety were presented, and 18% would never take it. Significant factors associated with vaccination intention were as follows: age (adjusted OR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02–1.99); lack of knowledge about the vaccine (adjusted OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.81–3.8); concern about long‐term side effects (adjusted OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4–2.9); fear of injection (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.04–2.13); natural immunity preference (adjusted OR 5.8, 95% CI 4.5–8.3); media misrepresentation (adjusted OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4); and getting COVID‐19 from the vaccine (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1). CONCLUSION: COVID‐19 vaccine safety and side‐effects concerns impact nurses' intentions to accept the vaccine and may result in low acceptance rates. Urgent action is needed to address these fears and raise confidence, as nurses' vaccine‐related decisions can affect the public's vaccine acceptance.