COVID-19 has greatly affected all our lives. Despite certain protocols being implemented, cases continue to rise. Zamboanga City has recorded 5,247 cases as of the third week of April 2021. Vaccination against COVID-19 is one way to combat the spread of the virus with the hope of developing herd immunity. Measuring public acceptance becomes imperative to assess the public willingness to receive a vaccine, and to know the health needs and concerns of the population. This is a cross-sectional study design to determine the acceptability, perceptions, and barriers towards the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among adults aged 18 – 59 years old residing in Zamboanga City. Respondents (n = 135) were chosen using systematic random sampling wherein a sampling interval, k was computed. Every 13th population element was considered after the first number was selected randomly using a random number generator. The population used was the total number of registered landline numbers in the Zamboanga City Residential Pages of PLDT Zamboanga White Pages. This study utilized a questionnaire from a foreign study which was adapted and modified to fit the Philippine setting. Data gathering was done through telephone conversations from February 27 to March 13, 2021. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages were used in the analysis of the data. Overall, 78.5% (106/135) of the respondents were willing to accept the vaccine in the future while 21.5% (29/135) were not. Pfizer was the brand of choice among the respondents with 56.6% (60/106). Out of the 106 willing respondents; 59 (55.7%) were willing to be vaccinated immediately; 44.3% are still hesitant and would want to delay vaccination. Respondents have the following perceptions on the vaccine: can protect and prevent infection (47.4%); can have side effects (22.2%); can help prevent the increase of cases (11.1%); can help prevent complications (4.4%); can cause death (3.0%); can help normalize our lives (2.2%); and can cure COVID-19 (0.7%). They were very much confident of a vaccine from the United States of America (26.7%) and are very much doubtful of a vaccine from China (14.1%). Most of the reason for vaccination is to be protected from the virus with a percentage of 69.8% (74/106), meanwhile, 62.1% (18/29) of the respondents that were not willing said that the presence of possible side effects will hinder their willingness to be vaccinated. In conclusion, the study results showed that many adults are willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine, however, there is still a need for monitoring since vaccine development is in progress. Addressing wrong beliefs and misconceptions on the vaccine is vital to achieve herd immunity as this will affect the willingness of the people to receive a vaccine.

Keyword: Acceptability of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccines among adults