Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

June 14, 2021

Perceptions and Concerns Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination in a Military Base Population

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  • Younger age and medical occupation were independent predictors of vaccine hesitancy according to results from a survey of individuals working on a military base in Ohio, administered between November 2020 and January 2021. Among 816 survey respondents, 185 (23%) self-identified as vaccine hesitant. The vaccine hesitant group reported more concern about short-term side effects (43% vs. 26%), long-term side effects (82% vs. 50%), vaccine effectiveness (23% vs. 5%), being infected with COVID-19 from the vaccine (10% vs. 5%), and worry about misinformation/political agenda (43% vs. 31%); these differences were heightened among younger participants. The non-hesitant group was more likely to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine to a friend or family member than the vaccine hesitant group (93% vs. 20%) as were those in the older (≥31 years) age group (79% vs. 67%) and non-medical personnel (81% vs. 52%).

Theis et al. (June 2021). Perceptions and Concerns Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination in a Military Base Population. Military Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usab230