الملخص الإنجليزي
Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine
among the general population of Oman, on the eve of the rollout of vaccination program
in the country. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured and
validated online questionnaire. Adults residing in Oman were invited to participate in
the study between 22 and 24 December 2020. Logistic regression analysis was used to
identify the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptability. Results: Of the
total of 966 participants, the majority (612; 63.4%) were women. Most participants
were younger than 40 years (572; 59.3%). Participants displayed good awareness about
COVID-19 (946; 97.9%) and the global vaccine development initiatives (831; 86.0%).
Only 265 (27.4%) participants were willing to get themselves vaccinated. The majority
were either uncertain 365 (37.8%) or unwilling 336 (34.8%). The main driver of vaccine
acceptance was to protect oneself and others (186/265; 70.0%). The main reasons given
for vaccination hesitation/refusal were concerns over possible side-effects (505/701;
72.0%), safety concerns (386/701; 55.0%), and ineffectiveness of the vaccine (107/701;
15.3%). Conclusions: On the eve of the first-ever rollout of COVID-19 vaccine in Oman
in December 2020, the surveyed residents of the country expressed significant hesitancy
to get themselves vaccinated. Participants' perceptions of risk of contracting COVID-19,
their trust in vaccines, government, and their health system were important predictors
of vaccine acceptance. These results enabled development of strategies to address such
concerns to facilitate vaccine acceptance among the residents of Oman. The results of this
study can be used by researchers to conduct comparative research in future, with more
emphasis on Omani youth (< 40 years).