What influences the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the Western Balkans?

Background Although effective vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed with the unprecedented speed, insufficient vaccine uptake suggests that many people are unwilling to get vaccinated worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess factors influencing intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in five Western Balkans countries. Methods Total of 700 unvaccinated respondents aged 18-75 participated in the study. Intention was assessed by a single item gauging the likelihood of getting vaccinated on a 5-points Likert scale. Multiple linear regression was used to determine whether socio-demographics (gender, age, religiousness, educational level, employment status, presence of chronic diseases) and attitudes towards vaccination predict intention to get vaccinated. Results Proportion of respondents willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 ranged from 22.6% in Serbia to 40.4% in Montenegro. In Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania stronger intention to get vaccinated in the future was associated with confidence in vaccine safety (β=.24, p