Enablers and Barriers of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Philippines

<b>Background</b>: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted extensive vaccination efforts globally, yet in the Philippines, many families remained unvaccinated. Caregivers are key decision-makers for family vaccination, but evidence on factors influencing their own vaccine uptake is limited. <b...

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Main Authors: Evalyn Roxas, Paulyn Jean Acacio-Claro, Maria Margarita Lota, Alvin Abeleda, Soledad Natalia Dalisay, Madilene Landicho, Yoshiki Fujimori, Jan Zarlyn Rosuello, Jessica Kaufman, Margaret Danchin, Vicente Belizario, Florian Vogt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/7/719
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author Evalyn Roxas
Paulyn Jean Acacio-Claro
Maria Margarita Lota
Alvin Abeleda
Soledad Natalia Dalisay
Madilene Landicho
Yoshiki Fujimori
Jan Zarlyn Rosuello
Jessica Kaufman
Margaret Danchin
Vicente Belizario
Florian Vogt
author_facet Evalyn Roxas
Paulyn Jean Acacio-Claro
Maria Margarita Lota
Alvin Abeleda
Soledad Natalia Dalisay
Madilene Landicho
Yoshiki Fujimori
Jan Zarlyn Rosuello
Jessica Kaufman
Margaret Danchin
Vicente Belizario
Florian Vogt
author_sort Evalyn Roxas
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted extensive vaccination efforts globally, yet in the Philippines, many families remained unvaccinated. Caregivers are key decision-makers for family vaccination, but evidence on factors influencing their own vaccine uptake is limited. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional survey of primary caregivers was conducted in low COVID-19 vaccine uptake regions in the Philippines from July to October 2023 using a validated questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression identified enablers and barriers to vaccine uptake. <b>Results</b>: Among 775 respondents, 72.3% completed primary vaccination, 3.3% had incomplete vaccination, and 24.4% were unvaccinated. Key factors for vaccination included self, family, and community protection, and the influence of government regulations. Distrust in vaccine safety was the main barrier. Positive associations with vaccine uptake were found for age [30–45 years (aOR = 2.23) and 46–59 years (aOR = 2.84)], education [secondary (aOR = 2.25) and tertiary (aOR = 4.93)], and employment (aOR = 1.99). Confidence in vaccine safety (aOR = 1.92), vaccine effectiveness (aOR = 2.23), and satisfaction with vaccination efforts (aOR = 2.39) were additional enablers. Disagreement with restrictions on the unvaccinated was a barrier (aOR = 0.31). <b>Conclusions</b>: This study identified multiple factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination among primary caregivers in low uptake areas of the Philippines. Interventions addressing perceptions about vaccine safety and effectiveness, particularly among younger and less educated caregivers, may improve public trust and satisfaction with vaccination efforts.
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spelling doaj-art-cfacbe62146f4b65b8f2b40002db91fc2025-08-20T03:32:16ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-07-0113771910.3390/vaccines13070719Enablers and Barriers of COVID-19 Vaccination in the PhilippinesEvalyn Roxas0Paulyn Jean Acacio-Claro1Maria Margarita Lota2Alvin Abeleda3Soledad Natalia Dalisay4Madilene Landicho5Yoshiki Fujimori6Jan Zarlyn Rosuello7Jessica Kaufman8Margaret Danchin9Vicente Belizario10Florian Vogt11College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, PhilippinesCollege of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, PhilippinesCollege of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, PhilippinesCollege of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, PhilippinesDepartment of Anthropology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, PhilippinesDepartment of Anthropology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, PhilippinesCollege of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, PhilippinesCollege of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, PhilippinesMurdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, AustraliaMurdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, AustraliaCollege of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, PhilippinesThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2033, Australia<b>Background</b>: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted extensive vaccination efforts globally, yet in the Philippines, many families remained unvaccinated. Caregivers are key decision-makers for family vaccination, but evidence on factors influencing their own vaccine uptake is limited. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional survey of primary caregivers was conducted in low COVID-19 vaccine uptake regions in the Philippines from July to October 2023 using a validated questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression identified enablers and barriers to vaccine uptake. <b>Results</b>: Among 775 respondents, 72.3% completed primary vaccination, 3.3% had incomplete vaccination, and 24.4% were unvaccinated. Key factors for vaccination included self, family, and community protection, and the influence of government regulations. Distrust in vaccine safety was the main barrier. Positive associations with vaccine uptake were found for age [30–45 years (aOR = 2.23) and 46–59 years (aOR = 2.84)], education [secondary (aOR = 2.25) and tertiary (aOR = 4.93)], and employment (aOR = 1.99). Confidence in vaccine safety (aOR = 1.92), vaccine effectiveness (aOR = 2.23), and satisfaction with vaccination efforts (aOR = 2.39) were additional enablers. Disagreement with restrictions on the unvaccinated was a barrier (aOR = 0.31). <b>Conclusions</b>: This study identified multiple factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination among primary caregivers in low uptake areas of the Philippines. Interventions addressing perceptions about vaccine safety and effectiveness, particularly among younger and less educated caregivers, may improve public trust and satisfaction with vaccination efforts.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/7/719COVID-19vaccinationvaccine uptakePhilippines
spellingShingle Evalyn Roxas
Paulyn Jean Acacio-Claro
Maria Margarita Lota
Alvin Abeleda
Soledad Natalia Dalisay
Madilene Landicho
Yoshiki Fujimori
Jan Zarlyn Rosuello
Jessica Kaufman
Margaret Danchin
Vicente Belizario
Florian Vogt
Enablers and Barriers of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Philippines
Vaccines
COVID-19
vaccination
vaccine uptake
Philippines
title Enablers and Barriers of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Philippines
title_full Enablers and Barriers of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Philippines
title_fullStr Enablers and Barriers of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Philippines
title_full_unstemmed Enablers and Barriers of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Philippines
title_short Enablers and Barriers of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Philippines
title_sort enablers and barriers of covid 19 vaccination in the philippines
topic COVID-19
vaccination
vaccine uptake
Philippines
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/7/719
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