@article{jbph2025_rahman31,
  author    = {S.M Akash Rahman and Tanzina Yousuf Neela and Apurba Chakma and Israt Jahan and MM Farabi Mahmud and Warda Jannat and Mahabuba Huq and Abul Hasan BakiBillah and Ibne Kayesh and Sharmin Sultana},
  title     = {Causes of Delayed COVID-19 Vaccination Among Health Care Professionals During the Initial Rollout in Bangladesh},
  journal   = {Journal of Biosciences and Public Health},
  year      = {2025},
  volume    = {1},
  number    = {3},
  pages     = {98-109},
  doi       = {10.5455/JBPH.2025.17},
  issn      = {3104-8749},
  publisher = {4Green Research Society},
  language  = {English},
  keywords  = {Causes of Delayed COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccine, Health Care Professional, Public Health, Vaccine Hesitancy, Immunization Programs, Vaccination Campaign},
  abstract  = {Health care professionals (HCPs) play a critical role in promoting public confidence in vaccination programs. However, vaccine hesitancy among HCPs during the initial rollout of COVID-19 vaccines could undermine national immunization efforts. This study assessed early acceptance and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination among doctors and nurses in a tertiary hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 among 732 HCPs recruited through purposive sampling and using a semi-structured questionnaire. Among the respondents, 76.28% were female and 79% were aged 18-50 years. Only 37.64% expressed willingness to receive the vaccine at the starting period, while 52.71% preferred to wait for post-vaccination reviews and 9.65% refused vaccination. Although 67.26% agreed or strongly agreed that vaccination is essential for COVID-19 prevention, there are concerns about safety (40.53% neutral or negative). Overall, 45.65% demonstrated satisfactory attitudes, whereas 32.06% showed dissatisfactory attitudes. Vaccine acceptance was significantly associated with sex (p = 0.032), having children (p = 0.016), and diabetes status (p = 0.041). Despite generally positive attitudes toward the importance of vaccination, more than half of HCPs exhibited hesitancy during the early phase of the vaccination program. Concerns about vaccine safety and side effects were major contributors to delayed acceptance. By revealing the factors influencing early vaccine acceptance among frontline workers, this study offers valuable insights to strengthen preparedness and enhance the effectiveness of future immunization programs such as typhoid vaccination in children.},
  url       = {https://www.jbph.org/article/details/causes-of-delayed-covid-19-vaccination-among-health-care-professionals-during-the-initial-rollout-in-bangladesh}
}