Luigi Roberto Biasio, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, Chiara Lorini & Sergio Pecorelli (2020) Assessing COVID-19 vaccine literacy: a preliminary online survey, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1829315
Luigi Roberto Biasio, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, Chiara Lorini & Sergio Pecorelli (2020) Assessing COVID-19 vaccine literacy: a preliminary online survey, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1829315
Luigi Roberto Biasio, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, Chiara Lorini & Sergio Pecorelli (2020) Assessing COVID-19 vaccine literacy: a preliminary online survey, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1829315
Luigi Roberto Biasio, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi, Chiara Lorini & Sergio Pecorelli (2020) Assessing COVID-19 vaccine literacy: a preliminary online survey, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1829315
Abstract
The Covid-19 infodemic can be countered by scientific evidences, clear and consistent communication and improved health literacy of both individuals in need of information and those providing it. A rapid online survey was carried out to evaluate vaccine literacy (VL) skills in the general population and perceptions about candidate Covid-19 vaccines, as well as behavior and beliefs about current vaccinations. Observed VL levels were sufficiently high and consistent with previous observations - where comparable self-reported tools were administered face-to-face and paper-and-pencil - the mean functional score being =2.92, while the interactive-critical one was =3.27, on a maximum of 4. Perceptions regarding future Covid-19 vaccines, along with beliefs about vaccination, were mostly positive and significantly associated with functional and interactive-critical VL scales. Despite obvious limitations, the study confirms that rapid surveys via web are a suitable method to evaluate and trail attitudes during infectious disease outbreaks, and to assess health literacy skills about vaccination, which can be useful to adapt medical communication strategies, for a better understanding of the value of immunization.
Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services
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