Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among rural community in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional survey based study

Although more than one hundred million beneficiaries were administered COVID-19 vaccine until 20th February, 2022 in Bangladesh; however, proportionally a low turnout has been recorded in rural places and a substantial gap exist among the people living in rural and urban areas concerning the ratio of receiving vaccine. This study aims to investigate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance intention and to identify the potential factors influencing vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among the rural community in Bangladesh. A bilingual, self-administered anonymous questionnaire was developed, and data were collected between 10th June 2021 and 14th August 2021 through face-to-face interview. 655 rural people participated in this cross-sectional study, and sampling was done randomly. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions were used to explore and rationalize study objectives. Out of 655 rural participants, 552 (84.3%, 95% CI 81.2─86.8) responded to accept COVID-19 vaccine; however, minor fractions (n = 5, n% = 0.8, 95% CI 0.12–1.4) of rural community had willingness to pay (WTP) for a COVID-19 vaccine. The result of binary regression showed that “safety,” “side effects,” “effectiveness,” and “trust” had highly significant (p <.01) and positive correlation with vaccine acceptance intention. “Rumor” had moderately significant (p <.05) and negative association while “gender” had insignificant correlation with vaccine acceptance intention. Easy and constant access to evidence-based and trustworthy information on vaccination consequences is imperative for resource-less remote people. Health communication regarding safety, side effect, and effectiveness of vaccines were identified as the most important predictor to convert vaccines to vaccinations and for ensuring mass immunization against COVID-19 in Bangladesh.