Purpose: COVID-19 vaccines are critical for containing the pandemic and preventing serious SARS-CoV-2 infections. In addition to
the two main doses, a booster dose has been utilized to improve immunity. The aim of current study is to evaluate Iraqi adult
population knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 booster dose.
Subjects and Methods: This online cross-sectional survey of adult Iraqis (n = 754) assessed the attitudes of people who have had
both immunizations regarding a potential COVID-19 vaccine booster dosage and to identify potential factors that might impact these
attitudes. Factors evaluated in the current study included previously received vaccine type in the first two doses, socioeconomic
characteristics, health status, knowledge about COVID-19 and its vaccines and adherence to protective practices.
Results: Overall, 61.1% of participants expressed willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster dose, with a high median score of knowledge
and practice toward COVID-19. Participants who did not perceive COVID-19 to be serious, p-value <0.001), participants who believed they
would not be infected with COVID-19 in the next 6 months (p-value <0.001), low knowledge score group (p-value <0.001), lower education
(p-value <0.001), participants who received the COVID-19 vaccine because of imposed laws (p-value <0.001), participants who received
AstraZeneca vaccine (p-value <0.001), younger participants (p-value=0.003), low level of practice (p-value <0.001), participants who did
not know someone who had died due to COVID-19 (p-value=0.01), low risk of developing serious side effects if infected with COVID-19
and participants in the low side effects score were significantly less frequently willing to receive a booster COVID-19 dose (p-value <0.001).
The main reasons for booster dose hesitancy/refusal were the perceived lack of need for a booster shot, the uselessness of a booster shot and
the conspiracy theory of boosting corporate profits through booster shots.
Conclusion: There is high hesitancy towards COVID-19 booster dose acceptance among the Iraqi population. The study identified
several factors associated with vaccine hesitancy including low socioeconomic status and low knowledge about COVID-19 and its
vaccines.
Keywords:

Title

Patient Preference and Adherence

Publisher

Dovepress

Publisher Country

United Kingdom

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

Impact Factor

2.314

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

16

Year

2022

Pages

1525-1537