Factors Influencing the Potential Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine among Healthcare Workers in a District Hospital in Manjung, Perak

Introduction Vaccine is the most promising solution against COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the potential acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and the associated factors among Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in Hospital Seri Manjung (HSM). Methods A cross-sectional study using self-administered online questionnaire was conducted among all HCWs in HSM from December 2020-January 2021. Results and Discussion Among 901 subjects recruited, 74.8% self-considered moderate to high risk of contracting COVID-19 infection. Although 65.8% thought that COVID-19 vaccination was important for self-protection but only 50.7% would accept it. Those not worried about fever post-vaccination [Adj. OR=5.06; 95%Cl: 1.12,22.89; p=0.035], neutral towards unknown long-term side effect [Adj. OR=2.59; 95%Cl: 1.39,4.81; p=0.003], neutral [Adj. OR=3.21; 95%Cl: 1.69,6.10; p<0.001] and not worried about effectiveness of vaccine [Adj. OR=3.54; 95%Cl: 1.10,11.39; p=0.034] were more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccine. Subjects who would reject vaccination despite declaration of bovine-free [Adj. OR=0.44; 95%Cl: 0.20,0.96; p=0.038]; reject India-manufactured vaccine [Adj. OR=0.23; 95%Cl: 0.09,0.61; p=0.003]; reject vaccination despite recommendation by government [Adj. OR=0.11; 95%Cl: 0.02,0.56; p=0.008] or trusted healthcare professionals [Adj. OR=0.03; 95%Cl: 0.01,0.11; p=<0.001] were associated with lower overall COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Indifference towards vaccination despite declaration of porcine-free [Adj. OR=0.42; 95%Cl: 0.24,0.73; p=0.002]; duration of vaccine effectiveness [Adj. OR=0.30; 95%Cl: 0.16,0.57; p=