COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Iraqi Dentists

ABSTRACT: Since it was first detected in Iraq in February 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic
has spread significantly among healthcare professionals. Due to the nature
of dental practices, oral health care professionals are more susceptible to
infection. The COVID-19 vaccine was first administered to medically
vulnerable people and healthcare personnel by the Iraqi ministry of health
in March 2021. The current study sought to assess the grounds for accepting
or rejecting the COVID-19 vaccine among Iraqi dentists. An anonymous
google form questionnaire was distributed to dentists via e-mail and social
media in October 2021. A total of 732 practicing dentists participated in the
study. The questionnaire consisted of 3 sections (4 demographic questions,
two behavioral questions about vaccination, and 11 questions regarding
COVID-19). In general, 84.4% of respondents accept the COVID-19 vaccine
and only 3.3% are against it. About 86.1% of respondents already took the
COVID-19 vaccine. The participants’ full justification for receiving the
vaccination was safeguarding their family and friends (73%), whereas the
top justification for refusing was lack of knowledge (37.4%). More efforts
should be made to increase the awareness of Iraqi dentists toward the
COVID-19 vaccine.

K E Y W O R D S: Vaccine, COVID-19, Oral health, Pandemic.

DOI: 10.26655/JMCHEMSCI.2023.2.22

Madiha Fouad Jameel

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