Exploring Enablers and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Arabs: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: With the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and rapid vaccine development, research interest in vaccine hesitancy has increased. Studies usually focus on quantitative estimates which largely neglected the qualitative underpinnings of this phenomenon. This study aimed to explore the beliefs and views towards COVID-19 vaccination among Arabs in different countries. Methods: This study was based on the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) Vaccine Hesitancy Model. A qualitative design utilized in-depth, online, interviews conducted in seven Arab countries between June 2020-December 2020 Transcripts were analyzed using NVivo 12 Software. Results: A total of 100 participants, 44 males and 56 females, of different age groups (Mean: 37.1 ± 11.56 years) and different nationalities were interviewed. Findings revealed six themes that were classified as enablers and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Participants of many Arabic countries indicated trusting the vaccines, the healthcare systems, and the vaccination policies. Participants showed concerns towards potential long-term vaccine effects. A consistent inclination towards collective responsibility, which is the willingness to protect others by own vaccination, was also reported.Conclusions: In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of factors like confidence in the healthcare system, misinformation, and scientific approaches adopted to mitigate the novel coronaviruses on how individuals living in the Arab region are following the recommended, preventative actions including vaccination.Enablers and barriers of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in the Arab region, from sociocultural and political perspectives, are critical to guide policymakers in designing target-oriented interventions that can improve vaccine acceptance.