A Model to Promote Access to Vaccines Against Coronavirus 2019 Infection among Elderly in Thong Thani Sub-District, Thawat Buri District, Roi Et Province

Abstract

Objectives of this action research were to develop a model to improve access to COVID-19 vaccine among elderly, study the effects of the developed model, and study success factors of the model. Sample of 243 elderly were selected to the study using purposive sampling method. Data were collected using  a questionnaire consisting of demographic information of the samples and success factors in model to improve access to COVID-19 vaccine among elderly. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis.

The study found that factors related to the access to COVID-19 vaccines among elderly was perception of the decision to get COVID-19 vaccine with overall mean at a high level of 3.38 (SD=1.17). Factor that rated as a very high level was fear of needles or fear of COVID-19 vaccination. Activities to promote knowledge and understanding on receiving COVID-19 vaccine among elderly included 4 activities. Three reasons for not getting COVID-19 vaccination included elderly’s fear of side effects from COVID-19 vaccine, physical limitations among elderly, and elderly’s lack of confidence that COVID-19 vaccine would prevent COVID-19. Before conducting research, there were 540 elderly (44.92%) receiving the first dose COVID-19 vaccine. After conducting activities to promote COVID-19 vaccination, number of elderly receiving the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine improved to 600 (49.91%).