FACTORS AFFECTING COVID-19 VACCINATION INTENTION AND BEHAVIOR AT NAZARBAYEV UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become the fifth documented pandemic since the 1918 flu pandemic. According to the official statistics, as of March 2023, it has claimed nearly 7 million lives Worldwide. The establishment of the Interdepartmental Commission on Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Infection in Kazakhstan in February 2020 was indicative of the magnitude of threat to public health. Fall in the commodity prices in which the country specializes, contributed to the overall decreasing trend GDP growth. Kazakhstan’s business sector experienced difficulties due to heavy containment measures out of concern for human life and healthcare capacity. When vaccines became available, some countries, including Kazakhstan, struggled to increase the vaccination rate. With introduction of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination at work and universities in July 2021, the vaccine hesitancy and even rejection was seen in anti-vaccination posts on social media and reports about purchases of vaccination proof. The objective of this study is to identify vaccination behavior and to evaluate the facilitators and impediments to positive vaccination behavior. With this aim, the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behavior were jointly used in order to comprehensively assess the contributing factors to vaccination. A web-based anonymous survey was launched and distributed among the Nazarbayev University community. Our research findings established positive vaccination behavior. Perceived social benefits, was the strongest predictor of intention, while subjective norms, self-efficacy, being significant predictors of vaccination intention. The major finding is positive correlation between intention and behavior which allows to draw some policy implications that would be potentially useful in future vaccination strategies at higher educational facilities. The further research on the topic would benefit from considering limitations of this work.