A BSTRACT Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a viral illness that causes a painful, blistering rash along a single dermatome. Although the global incidence of HZ is increasing, vaccination remains a crucial public health strategy. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and willingness to receive HZ vaccinations among the general public in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals aged 50 years or older, utilizing nonprobability convenience sampling techniques. A pretested self-administered online questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: Out of 439 participants, 57.9% (n = 254) exhibited poor knowledge about HZ and a low vaccination rate of 22.8% (n = 100). Approximately 27.1% (n = 119) believe that HZ is contagious, while 54.7% (n = 240) recognize that HZ can lead to severe and long-lasting pain. Several factors influenced participants’ knowledge, including age, place of residence, history of receiving the HZ vaccine, and whether a doctor had recommended it. The factors influencing vaccination acceptance included the willingness to receive the vaccine (odds ratio, 3.15; 95% CI: 1.834-5.393). Residence (odds ratio of 2.790, CI: 1.664-4.679). Conclusion: The study revealed a significant knowledge gap and low vaccine uptake among the target population in Qassim. This underscores the urgent need for educational initiatives and health awareness programs to improve understanding and acceptance of the HZ vaccine. Healthcare providers should offer more information and encourage eligible patients to get the HZ vaccine.
Alolayan et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
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