# Perceptions of Vaccination in Latin America: Insights from Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala

## TL;DR

A survey in Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala found high vaccine acceptance but identified concerns about side effects and information gaps.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into vaccine perceptions and barriers in Latin American countries through a multi-national survey.

## Key findings

- 77.8% of participants reported being vaccinated, indicating high vaccine acceptance.
- 54.4% of respondents cited clinics or hospitals as their main source of vaccine information.
- Fears of side effects and lack of information were identified as key barriers to vaccination.

## Abstract

Public perceptions of vaccines were evaluated through a survey conducted by medical students from Rocky Vista University in March 2025. The survey included 252 patients attending medical outreach clinics in Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. Results revealed a surprisingly high self-reported vaccination rate of 77.8% across the three countries, reflecting widespread vaccine acceptance and uptake. More than half of participants (54.4%) identified clinics or hospitals as their primary source of vaccine-related information, positioning health institutions at the forefront of information dissemination. Although 57.9% of respondents rated access to vaccines as easy overall, suggesting that physical access may not represent a major barrier, the survey highlighted other key obstacles, including fears of side effects and insufficient information. These findings provide valuable guidance for targeted health communication initiatives and may inform the development of broader strategies to address community-level barriers to vaccination and improve overall uptake.