The Price of Protection: How Much Urban Muslim Communities in Selangor Are Accepting and Willing to Pay for Covid-19 Vaccines?
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Abstract
Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a major public health crisis worldwide since early 2020. In Malaysia, a religious gathering in Seri Petaling resulted in the largest cluster with 3,375 cases and 34 deaths, leading the government to impose movement restriction policies. However, after these policies were eased in mid-2021, cases involving religious institutions and communities increased again. The COVID-19 vaccination and other preventive practices were believed to be the way forward to ending the pandemic. This research aimed to measure the acceptability and willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine and the associated factors among the Muslim community if it were available at private health institutions. Method: In 2021, an online survey was conducted using the contingent valuation method (CVM) among Muslim residents of Bandar Baru Bangi, a suburban town in Selangor state, Malaysia, who attended prayers at mosques and prayer rooms (surau) in that area. Results: The analysis indicated that 97.35% (n=478) of the 491 respondents accepted COVID-19 vaccination, and 81.71% (n=388) were willing to pay for the vaccine, with a mean value of MYR141.05 (±98.70) (US$34.07, ±23.85) per dose. The predictors of WTP, as analysed by multiple logistic regression, were age group under 51 years and monthly household income of more than MYR4,850 (US$1,147). Conclusion: Most respondents accepted the COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 80% were willing to pay. This research highlighted the acceptability and price range residents would pay if the vaccine were available.
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