Uptake of COVID-19 Booster Dose among Saudi Arabian Population

Backgroundand objectives: Although several vaccines have been produced and administered around the world, new SARS-CoV-2 worsened the COVID-19 infection risk and impacted the initial vaccine dosage effectiveness. Based on studies indicating that the third and fourth COVID-19 vaccine doses significantly reduced COVID-19 transmission, Saudi Arabia has been administering COVID-19 booster vaccine doses to its citizens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine booster in relation to the socio-demographic characteristics and other associated factors among the Saudi population. Materials and Methods: This study was an online analytical cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Pearson Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 booster dose vaccines. Results: A total of 2332 responded to our study. Overall, 527 (22.6%) participants had received a booster dose. An age of 55 and above (aOR: 5.415; 95% CI: 2.719-10.783), Eastern region (aOR: 2.513; 95% CI: 1.566-4.033), history of influenza vaccination at annual intervals (aOR: 2.387; 95% CI: 1.730-3.293), the first dose of Moderna vaccine (aOR: 1.324; 95% CI: 1.160-1.510), and cancer (aOR: 2.161; 95% CI: 1.218-3.879) were independent factors most associated with a higher uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. In contrast, the second dose of Moderna vaccine (aOR: 0.794; 95% CI: 0.683-0.922), AstraZeneca vaccine (aOR: 0.691; 95% CI: 0.509-0.939), strong symptoms from side effects after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (aOR: 0.615; 95% CI: 0.404-0.935) were independent factors most associated with a lower uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. Conclusions: Our findings indicate low COVID-19 vaccine booster uptake. This necessitates the need for strategies to address discouraging factors of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose uptake and engage the Saudi population to raise awareness about the importance of the booster dose.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine booster dose among the Saudi population. The findings indicate low vaccine uptake and highlight the need for strategies to increase uptake and raise awareness about the importance of the booster dose.