A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY EVALUATING COVID-19 VACCINE LITERACY: THE EXAMPLE OF ANTALYA PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives: It is believed that the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a significant health concern, can be restrained through effective vaccination. In this regard, however, people’s hesitancy toward vaccines stands out as an important obstacle to achieving community immunization. The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors that affect individuals’ decisions to get a COVID-19 vaccine and to identify their literacy status for COVID-19 vaccines. Materials and Methods: This study consisted of 388 people aged 18 and over who presented to the COVID-19 adult vaccination outpatient clinic at the University of Health Sciences Antalya Training and Research Hospital between July 1st and September 1st, 2021. The participants were asked a number of questions contained in the COVID-19 vaccine literacy scale, and answers were recorded. Results: The participants’ mean vaccination literacy score was considered moderate within the range of 2.95 ± 0.54. The results revealed that the higher the education level of the participants, the higher the COVID-19 vaccine literacy, and that the COVID-19 vaccine literacy was higher among individuals who voluntarily got vaccinated. Conclusion: By recognizing that individuals may have hesitancy about vaccination, relevant strategies should be developed for the vaccination with the aim of giving information to and instilling confidence in society rather than causing fear.