THE UNVACCINATED ADULTS' PERCEPTION ON COVID-19 VACCINE AS A PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19 INFECTION

This study investigated the unvaccinated adults' perception on COVID-19 vaccine as a protection against its infection. It used the quantitative research design to explore the respondents' experiences on medical and non-medical treatment against COVID 19. Specifically, it determined the factors for their preferred type of treatment and their reasons to either consider vaccination against the illness or not. Further, the research disclosed the measures used by the respondents to protect themselves from getting infected despite being unvaccinated from the virus. The central tendency is used for data analysis such as frequency distribution, percentage, ranking and mean. The results show that most of the unvaccinated adults are from the age bracket 35-45 years old, females, Roman Catholic, Cebuano, and have attained high school educational level. Unvaccinated adults use both medical and non-medical treatment as remedies for common illnesses they experienced such as fever/cold and headache. However, for the preferred healthcare treatment, they choose the non-medical treatment because of its effectiveness. Observance of health protocols proved effective protection against COVID-19 infection. The unvaccinated adults believe that the COVID-19 vaccine is still on its experimental stage that is why they opt not to have it yet. To convince them, the government should exert effort in strengthening the campaign for a more comprehensive awareness on the value of the COVID-19 vaccines as a safe and effective protection against the virus.