AMMAN — A recent national study revealed that 48.9 percent of Jordanians are hesitant about taking the
COVID-19 vaccines, while 24.6 percent outright refuse to take them.
اضافة اعلان
The study, carried out by a group of Jordanian researchers, including Dr. Dirar Balawi from the
University of Petra, Dr. Nathir Obeidat from the
University of Jordan, Dr. Wael Hayajneh from St. Louis American University, Professor Khaldoun Naseer from the King Abdullah I University Hospital, and Dr. Ahmed Al Maslamani from
Al-Ain University UAE, found that the central and northern regions of the Kingdom have the highest number of citizens reluctant to take the vaccine, according to Al-Rai Daily.
Over 1,800 people from various regions of the Kingdom were interviewed for the study, most of them aged between 18 and 45.
The study found that the average rate of scientific knowledge about vaccines in the study sample was 4.8 out of 10, the average rate of both positive and negative attitude towards vaccines was 4.18 out of 10, while the average of correct understanding of how vaccines work was 5.3 out of 10.
According to the study, the general reasons for people’s reluctance or refusal to receive vaccines are (from most to least influential): the speed with which the COVID-19 vaccines were manufactured and obtained approval from international institutions based on their effectiveness and safety; the belief that vaccines were ineffective; the belief hesitant individuals and those who refuse to take the vaccine have that once others get vaccinated, they will not have to get the jabs themselves.
Other reasons are the conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines, the fear of long-term side effects, the conviction that one would not contract the virus, and the conviction that even if getting infected, one would not be severely affected.
While seeing the development and marketing of vaccines globally as a good sign in the fight against the pandemic, Balawi says that people’s hesitation or reluctance to take them is a phenomenon that puts at risk all efforts to combat it.
Researchers recommended studies that focus on refuting false information about vaccines and show the benefits of vaccination, in the hope that behaviors will change.
According to Balawi, a second national study will be published soon on the effectiveness and safety of the four types of coronavirus vaccines in Jordan.
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