Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccines Among Physicians in Mid Delta Region of Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background Safe and effective vaccines became an important preventive tool to protect people against novel Corona Virus Disease infection. Since physicians are at higher risk for contagion of COVID-19 infection, they were prioritized for early vaccination. Also, they are role models who can improve adherence of people to vaccination. Aim of the study: to determine the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines among physicians in the Gharbia governorate, Egypt. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited working physicians through snowballing random sampling technique. Data was collected by using a self-administered electronic questionnaire which measured the self-perceived risk to COVID-19 infection, the attitudes and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines. Results: The study enrolled 1268 physicians, 22% of them were vaccinated .Only 24% expressed their acceptance towards COVID-19 vaccines, while 36.7% didn't agree to get vaccinated. Vaccination unacceptance was significantly associated with increasing age, female gender, higher educational attainments, limited income, no direct patients' contact, diagnostic subspecialty, and working in a rural health facility (p= 0.004, 0.02, <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.01, 0.01, 0.002 respectively).Conclusions: Though physicians are at higher risk of infection, they had poor acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines which may, induce reluctance of people to get vaccinated. Special actions should be tailored to address the significant mediators associated with vaccine unacceptability.