COVID‑19 Vaccination and Predictors of Vaccine Hesitancy: A Community- Based Research in Zagazig City

Background: Vaccines are vital in containing the COVID-19 epidemic and may be an essential tool in re-establishing "normalcy". The aim of the research was to investigate COVID‑19 vaccination and predictors of vaccine hesitancy in Zagazig City. Research design: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. Setting: The research was carried out in Zagazig City and Shaybah Village, Egypt. Subjects: A multistage systematic random sample involving 997 participants. Tools: Three questionnaires were used for data collection. I. The interview questionnaire consists of three tools: socio-demographic data, individual factors, and knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine. II. Attitude assessment toward vaccine, and III. Application of the Health Belief Model regarding COVID‑19 vaccination. Results: Only 10% of studied subjects had taken the vaccine, and 24.2% of them had the intention to take the vaccine. In addition, 75.8% of them have vaccine hesitancy. Moreover, 54.0% of the studied subjects had adequate knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine. The highest percentage of the studied subjects did not know the difference between types of vaccine (40.9%). In addition, 60% of subjects have positive attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, 40.3% of subjects have a neutral health belief model regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: The study presented that more than three-quarters of study participants had vaccine hesitancy. In general, more than half of the subjects examined have enough knowledge. Moreover, three-fifths of them have a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, two-fifths of the studied subjects had a neutral health belief model about the COVID-19 vaccine. Recommendation: Health awareness about the importance of vaccines to protect from severe infection and deadly complications of COVID- 19 virus