Factors of COVID-19 Vaccine Perception among Transport Drivers in Singapore: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Abstract

Transport drivers have high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines can reduce disease severity. However, COVID-19 vaccine perception among transport drivers is unknown. To identify the key factors influencing vaccine perception of transport drivers in Singapore, a cross-sectional pilot study was conducted. One hundred four completed survey responses were collected between September 2021 and February 2022. Using multivariable logistic regression, education, general vaccine knowledge and attitude, practice of social distancing, misinformation of rare vaccine side effects, and perceiving the pandemic situation to be severe were independently associated with vaccine perception. Despite high vaccination coverage, there were substantial poor vaccine perception, vaccine hesitancy, and unwillingness to take third dose. Vaccination rate may thus not be an accurate reflection of true vaccine acceptance. Communication strategies need to focus on correcting knowledge gaps, instilling collectivist attitudes, and highlighting the importance of vaccination over social distancing to enhance booster uptake rate.