COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Decision-making Factors in Vietnam: A Qualitative Research

Conference: The Asian Conference on Asian Studies (ACAS2022)
Title: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Decision-making Factors in Vietnam: A Qualitative Research
Stream: South-East Asian Studies (including Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos)
Presentation Type: Live-Stream Presentation
Authors:
Vi Xuan, Renmin University of China, China
Nguyen Long, Foreign Trade University, Vietnam
Pham Mai, Vietnam Center of Research in Economics, Management and Environment, Vietnam
Nguyen Mai, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands

Abstract:

Background
Vaccination policy is the key in the resilient recovery of Vietnam in the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the dissemination of information about new variants is parallel with doubts about the vaccine's power. Vaccination studies have yet to focus on the relationship between individual motivations for vaccine boosters in the emergence of new variants and a sustainable resilient recovery. This study sought to examine the drivers and barriers of vaccination in Vietnam.
Methods
Applying qualitative methods, twenty-four semi-structured interviews among vaccine decision-makers were conducted with vaccine policy documents. The collected data included perceptions and examples of incentives and barriers to vaccination. The socio-ecological model is used to embody and interpret the research results.
Results
Participants demonstrated a positive attitude toward third-dose vaccination and new variant information. Individual-level elements are less relevant than the community and organizational-level factors. The 'new normal' policy succeeded in raising public knowledge about the benefits of vaccination. Vietnam's cultural homogeneity and collectivism play a key role in the explanation. This does not, however, imply that the policy is faultless. The absence of consistency in procedure throughout provinces could lead to further segregation between rural and urban communities.
Conclusion
Infrastructure development and community-based awareness programs are encouraged to ensure equitable access to vaccination and information. Vaccination policies should not only focus on raising national awareness but also on achieving a uniform implementation procedure. Building appropriate infrastructure and reaching consensus on a centralized vaccine implementation are important first steps toward providing universal health care to all citizens.

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