Assessing the acceptability of COVID‐19 vaccine and its booster dose

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccinations are essential to control the pandemic and prevent severe COVID‐19 infections. This study aims to assess the acceptability of the COVID‐19 vaccine and the factors that impact the intention to take the COVID‐19 vaccine and its booster dose. METHODS: A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The study used a self‐administered web‐based survey (questionnaire) for data collection that was distributed via social media platforms from May 2022 to July 2022. RESULTS: In this study, among 518 participants, 54.4% had already received two doses of the COVID‐19 vaccine, and out of the participants who didn't receive the booster dose, 19.9% declared a definite willingness to receive it, while 42% had already taken a booster dose, which indicated good acceptance. After adjustment for significant background characteristics, a significant association between the country and receiving the COVID‐19 vaccine, the intention to get the vaccine, and infection with COVID‐19 were found, in addition to a significant association between the country and the participants' opinion that electronic applications helped them to follow their vaccine schedule were found (p < .001). Also, the results showed that participants' attitudes were significantly associated with educational level and age groups (p ≤ .001, p = .032, respectively). There was a significant association between the intention to receive the vaccine booster dose and the country (p < .001). The Saudi participants were willing to get the booster dose seven times more than the Jordanians, furthermore, there was a significant association between taking the vaccine booster dose in the country, as well as age group, working in the medical field, previous COVID‐19 infection, and the intention to vaccinate the children (p < .001, p = .030, .031, .025, < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overall, our results emphasize a positive response and a positive attitude toward COVID‐19 vaccination. In addition, define the groups to be targeted with effective communication regarding the COVID‐19 vaccine and its booster dose.