WILLINGNESS TO RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINATION IN COSTUMERS ACCESSING COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN THE PROVINCE OF PALERMO, ITALY

In Italy, vaccination against COVID-19 began on December 27, 2020. To date, 13,713,224 people in Italy

are fully vaccinated, which accounts for 25.3 % of the general population, and 44.8% received at least one

vaccination dose. The present study aim to investigate willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination in

costumers accessing a sample of community pharmacies in the Province of Palermo, Italy. A self

administered and anonymous questionnaire was carried out among costumers older than 18 years old

between December 2020 and March 2021. Three hundred and sixty-three subjects were enrolled in the

study, 259 (71.3%) expressed their willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination. The main determinants

associated with vaccination acceptance resulted “trust in safety and effectiveness of vaccinations” and the

absence of any previous negative vaccination experience. Unfavourable information on COVID-19

vaccination obtained through internet/media/social media and lack of confidence in COVID-19 vaccines

and in the Italian national healthcare system are the main determinants associated with vaccine refusal.

Male gender, younger age classes and influenza vaccination acceptance due to the impact of COVID

pandemic were significantly associated with willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In order to

promote COVID-19 vaccination campaign accurate, informative and communicative campaign dedicated

to subjects that are more hesitant regarding COVID-19 vaccination (e.g. female sex, adults, people that

usually do not adhere to influenza vaccination campaign) should be implemented.