Determinants of acceptance of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine among Lebanese health care workers using health belief model

Since Health care workers (HCWs) are at high occupational risk for COVID-19, they are prioritized for immunization. This study aimed to assess the acceptance rate of the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs and to identify its determinants. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted between10 and 31 December 2020 among Lebanese HCWs. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as a theoretical framework. Multivariable logistic analyses were carried out to identify the factors associated with the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs. A total of 1800 HCWs have completed the survey. Around half (58.10%) of them were frontline HCWs and aged between (30–49) years old. Over two-thirds (67.33%) of the participants have received the seasonal influenza vaccine. The acceptance rate of the COVID-19 vaccine among surveyed HCWs was 58%. HCWs who were male (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI (1.41–2.80)), working in the frontlines (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI (1.17–2.21), and those who have received influenza vaccination for the current year (aOR = 1.38, 95% CI(0.99–1.92)) were more willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. However, factors such as living in rural areas (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI (0.44–0.84)), and being previously diagnosed with COVID-19 (aOR = 0.66, 95%CI (0.45–0.96) were found negatively associated with vaccine acceptance. In terms of health beliefs items, concerns related to the novelty of vaccine (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI (0.25–0.71)), side effects/vaccine safety (aOR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.23–0.73), reliability of manufacturer (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI (0.30–0.63)), and the number of required doses (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI (0.40–0.84)) were also negatively associated with the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Remarkably, concerns such as the limited accessibility (aOR = 1.68, 95% CI (1.14–2.47)), and availability of vaccines (aOR = 2.16, 95% CI (1.46–3.20)) were associated with an increased likelihood of willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. With regards to cues of action, receiving reliable and adequate information about the vaccine (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI (1.36–2.88)), recommendation by health authorities (aOR = 1.93, 95% CI(1.33–2.81)), and recommendations from health facilities (aOR = 2.68, 95% CI(1.80–3.99)) were also positively associated with vaccine acceptance. Lastly, perception of COVID-19 vaccine benefits by HCWs in terms of protecting them and their close contacts (patients, family members, and friends) from COVID-19 infection (aOR = 4.21, 95% CI (2.78–7.11)) was associated with an increased likelihood of vaccine uptake. The moderate acceptance rate of the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs found in our study could have broader extents. Understanding and pointing out factors impairing vaccine acceptance such as concerns about the novelty of vaccine and manufacturers’ reliability are required to reach a higher vaccination rate.