Determinants of personal vaccination hesitancy before and after the mid-2021 COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan

Abstract

Background Using a 10 week nationwide online survey performed during a time period containing the time ahead, the start, and the peak of a COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan, we investigated aspects that could affect participants’ vaccination intentions. Methods From March to May 2021, we surveyed 1,773 people in Taiwan, aged from 20 to 75 years, to determine potential acceptance rates and factors influencing the acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine. We used an ordinal logistic regression with a backward selection method to identify factors that affected vaccination intention. Results Several factors could increase individuals’ vaccination intentions including: being male, older, with an openness personality, having a better quality of life in the physical health domain, having better knowledge and personal health behavior, having more trust in the government, and being worried about misinformation. Perceived risks played a crucial role in the vaccine decision-making process. When the pandemic intensified, people’s vaccination intentions increased significantly. Conclusion The findings of the present study could highlight individuals’ vaccination attitudes and provide governments with an empirical and dynamic base to design tailored strategies to increase vaccination rates.