Evaluating adherence to future COVID-19 vaccination among elderly population in Israel

Background On March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. It was perceived as an elderly issue in face of the high morbidity and mortality rates among people over 60 years old. Instructions regarding protective and preventative conduct were issued by the Israeli ministry of health, with emphasis concerning the elderly population. This study aimed at examining the adherence for future Covid-19 vaccine and its predicting factors among the elderly population in Israel. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in April 2020 among 1,797 Israeli respondents, aged 60 and above, via social media. The questionnaire assessed intentions to being vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, attitudes and subjective norms regarding the disease and instructions issued by the ministry of health, adhering to these instructions, perception of threat, trust in the healthcare system, negative emotions and social support. Results Levels of willingness to future vaccination were extremely high (92%). Multiple logistic regression analysis found gender, level of religiosity, socio-economic status, perception of threat, social support, trust in the healthcare system, negative emotions and subjective norms regarding social distancing, as predictors of probability for future adherence to the vaccine. Conclusions The study findings point to future intention, in a time when an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and its consequences is prevalent around the world. The adherence predictors are in concurrence with elements of the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action. Identifying the factors that predict future willingness to be vaccinated, may assist in developing ways to promote vaccination adherence against COVID-19, as well as against other illnesses. Key messages The results emphasize the importance of creating a supportive environment and shaping health-promoting attitudes among the elderly, as well as balanced and reliable threat communication of epidemics. Actual vaccination would depend on factors such as the pandemic severity at that time.