Beliefs and Hesitancy Towards COVID-19 Vaccination among Elderly

Richelle Anne Alcayaga Fronda-Fontanilla

Richelle Anne Alcayaga Fronda-Fontanilla CONRADO F. ESTRELLA REGIONAL MEDICAL AND TRAUMA CENTER; Institute of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Urdaneta City University, Philippines

Keywords: beliefs, hesitancy, elderly, COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

The conduct of investigating the elderly’s beliefs and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination is a great help in helping the elderly to accept the vaccine. This study focused on the beliefs and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination among the elderly as the Philippine Government imposed a mass vaccination program for the people in the country to fight the COVID-19 virus. This study employed a qualitative research method focused on a wide-ranging interview about the participants' profile, beliefs, and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines. A narrative case study approach was used in compiling and analyzing the recorded interview material, and some findings were reported thematically to ensure a better analysis of the data gathered. Thematic analysis was used to see and process qualitative information using coding systematically. The researcher observed that the elderly’s beliefs about COVID-19 vaccination contributed to their hesitancy to become vaccinated. The elderly were hesitant about the vaccine due to its safety and efficacy and considering their religious affiliations. A comprehensive information education campaign material is needed to increase their awareness of the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination to address the perceived barriers which are linked to their beliefs such as its side effects and health challenges. Thus, the LGU of Rosales, Pangasinan must consider the information education campaign material proposed by the researcher to increase the elderly’s awareness about COVID-19 vaccines.

Author Biography

Richelle Anne Alcayaga Fronda-Fontanilla, CONRADO F. ESTRELLA REGIONAL MEDICAL AND TRAUMA CENTER; Institute of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Urdaneta City University, Philippines

The author is a passionate and dedicated nurse with more than a decade of healthcare experience in a variety of settings, including family healthcare and emergency units where she served as an emergency nurse in Saudi Arabia for seven (7) years and presently holds the same position as Nurse in the emergency ward of Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center (CFERMTC) in Rosales, Pangasinan.