COVID-19 VACCINE PERCEPTIONS AND DIFFERENCES BY SEX, AGE, AND EDUCATION: FINDINGS FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF 1367 COMMUNITY ADULTS IN ONTARIO

ABSTRACT Background COVID-19 is a global pandemic and vaccination efforts may be impeded by vaccine hesitancy. The present study examined willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine, the associated reasons for willingness/unwillingness, and vaccine safety perceptions in a cross-sectional assessment of community adults in Ontario. Methods 1367 individuals (60.3% female, M age = 38.6) completed an online assessment between January 15, 2021 and February 15, 2021. Perceptions were investigated in general and by age, sex and education. Results Overall, 82.8% sample reported they were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and 17.2% reported they were unwilling. The three most common reasons for unwillingness were long-term side effects (65.5%), immediate side effects (60.5%), and lack of trust in the vaccine (55.2%). Vaccine willingness significantly differed by sex and education level, with female participants and those with less than a bachelor’s degree being more likely to report unwillingness. Perception of COVID-19 vaccine safety was significantly lower (−10.7%) than vaccines in general and differed by age, sex and education, with females, older adults, and individuals with less than a bachelor’s degree reporting lower perceived COVID-19 vaccine safety. Conclusion In this sample of community adults, under one in five individuals was unwilling to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, but with higher rates in population subgroups. Targeting public health messaging to females and individuals with less than Bachelor’s degree, and addressing concerns about long-term and immediate side effects may increase vaccine uptake.