Philippine E-Journals

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Filipinos

John Miguel Barrocamo

 

Abstract:

Vaccine hesitancy was widespread among Filipinos during the initial stages of COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines. However, as time passed, the vaccine hesitancy rate in the Philippines decreased as some Filipinos came to prioritize their protection against the virus over the potential adverse effects of vaccinations. While some Filipinos are beginning to accept COVID-19 vaccinations, others remain fearful of the vaccine's adverse effects and refuse to receive it. As a result, this study employed a descriptive-correlational approach to describe and analyze Filipinos' attitudes toward vaccines and their relationship with COVID-19 vaccine reluctance. Additionally, two hundred forty-two (242) citizens who were eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations were selected to participate in the data collection procedure for this study. The researcher then collected the needed data for this study using the 42-item Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence and Complacency Scale. The findings indicated that the respondents had a favorable attitude toward vaccines, with a high rate of vaccination acceptance and a low rate of vaccine hesitancy. To ascertain the existence of a relationship between the variables, the null hypothesis was tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The statistical analysis conducted in this study established a relationship between respondents' attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Finally, the findings of this study were examined and reviewed, and recommendations for future studies were made.