COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: Prevalence and reasons of hesitation among the elderly in Bacolod City Philippines

Objectives: Vaccine hesitancy continues to be of long-standing issue because of its inherent consequences not just in health but also with socioeconomic systems.  This situation has emerged and became one of the major barriers during the last COVID-19 pandemic and has persisted up to this time. This study aimed to determine the determinants of vaccine hesitancy among older adults in selected areas of Bacolod City, Philippines, to better prepare communities for future pandemics. 
Materials and Methods:  A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May of 2023 in selected areas of Bacolod City, Philippines. A total of 919 older adults aged 60 years and above participated in the study. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics and factors influencing vaccine hesitancy.
Results: Among 919 participants, 55.28% were women and nearly half (48.86%) were aged 60-70 years. Most participants completed secondary education (37.32%) while 10.12% had obtained a bachelor’s degree. The most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy were concerns about post-vaccination side effects (44.72%) and presence of comorbidities (36.34%). Information about vaccines was primarily obtained from local radio, television, and newspaper (53.30%), followed by family and friends (14.9%) and official government sources (12.30%). Despite regular contact with health professionals, many participants have remained hesitant, suggesting mistrust is influenced by misinformation, malinformation and disinformation.
Conclusions: Vaccine hesitancy among older adults in Bacolod City is largely driven by concerns about side effects, comorbidities, and the influence of inaccurate information. These findings underscore the need for more targeted and effective public health communication strategies to improve vaccine confidence among older populations in preparations for future pandemics.