Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40600163›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

Barriers to vaccine acceptance and immunization coverage in Kazakhstan: a mixed-methods study using the COM-B framework.

Lena Kassabekova, Manar Smagul, Gaukhar Nukenova, Aigul Satayeva, Bibigul Aubakirova, Gulnur Zhakhina, Aizhan Yesmagambetova

Abstract read
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Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Lena KassabekovaScientific and Practical Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise, Astana, Kazakhstan.
Manar SmagulNational Center for Public Health, Astana, Kazakhstan.
Gaukhar NukenovaNational Center for Public Health, Astana, Kazakhstan.
Aigul SatayevaScientific and Practical Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise, Astana, Kazakhstan.
Bibigul AubakirovaNational Center for Public Health, Astana, Kazakhstan.
Gulnur ZhakhinaNazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan.
Aizhan YesmagambetovaNational Center for Public Health, Astana, Kazakhstan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant public health challenge, affecting immunization coverage and increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. Understanding the factors influencing vaccine acceptance is crucial for developing targeted interventions. This study examines immunization coverage, vaccine hesitancy, and barriers to vaccine uptake in Kazakhstan, focusing on routine childhood immunization, COVID-19 vaccination, and HPV vaccination. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative immunization coverage data with qualitative insights from focus group discussions (FGDs). Immunization trends were presented using national data from 2020 to 2022. The study included FGDs with healthcare workers, unvaccinated older adults, mothers/caregivers of unvaccinated young children and of adolescent girls, focusing on COVID-19, routine immunization, and HPV vaccination. Thematic analysis was used for defining main themes in discussions. Results: Although routine immunization coverage improved in 2022 compared to 2020, general vaccine refusals increased by 2.62 times. The primary reasons for vaccine refusal included personal beliefs (68%), concerns about vaccine safety (54%), and distrust in healthcare institutions (39%). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was particularly high among older adult individuals, influenced by skepticism regarding vaccine safety, multiple vaccine options, and conspiracy theories. Healthcare professionals exhibited mixed confidence in COVID-19 vaccines expressing concerns about long-term safety. HPV vaccination hesitancy was linked to limited awareness and misconceptions about cervical cancer. Conclusion: Despite improvements in immunization coverage, vaccine hesitancy remains a critical barrier in Kazakhstan. Addressing misinformation, enhancing healthcare communication, and implementing targeted educational campaigns are essential for improving vaccine acceptance and public trust in immunization programs.

Indexed as

COVID-19Patient Acceptance of Health CareVaccinationVaccination CoverageVaccination HesitancyAdolescentAdultAgedChildCOVID-19 VaccinesFemaleFocus GroupsHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansKazakhstanMaleCOVID-19 VaccinesPapillomavirus VaccinesCOM-B frameworkimmunization coveragepublic healthvaccine acceptancevaccine hesitancy

Identifiers

PMID40600163
PMCPMC12209187

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.