Just-world beliefs are associated with influenza vaccine intake intent in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study

Although not a prime public health concern, seasonal influenza remains a challenge in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This problem is augmented by the fact that the percentage of the population intending to take the yearly seasonal influenza vaccine is relatively low. The purpose of this study is to assess if vaccine knowledge and just-world beliefs have an impact on willingness to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. The methodology relies on a multivariable logistic regression analysis establishing predictors of vaccine intake intent and parametric tests comparing variables across gender and ethnicity. Results come out showing that vaccine knowledge is not a significant predictor of seasonal influenza vaccine intake intent. However, general belief in the just world is a significant predictor of vaccine intake intent. This has important implications for the role of religion in curbing seasonal influenza vaccine hesitancy in the UAE. Given that just-world beliefs are linked to religiosity, public health authorities need to consider relying on religious leaders to exhort the faithful to take the vaccines by framing their exhortations in the context of just-world beliefs.