Confidence in COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and safety and its effect on vaccine uptake in Tanzania: A community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

COVID-19 is a major public health threat associated with increased disease burden, mortality, and economic loss to countries and communities. Safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines are key in halting and reversing the pandemic. Low confidence in vaccines has been one of the factors leading to hesitancy. We aimed to assess the COVID-19 vaccine confidence (safety and effectiveness), associated factors, and its effects on vaccine uptake among general community members in Tanzania. This was a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted from December 2021 to April 2022 in six regions of Tanzania mainland and two regions in Zanzibar. Participants were interviewed using an electronic questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for factors associated with vaccine confidence. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.0. The study enrolled 3470 general Tanzanian community members; their mean age was 40.3 (standard deviation ±14.9) years, and 34% were males. The proportion of COVID-19 vaccine confidence was 54.6%. Geographical region, residence area, COVID-19 disease risk perception, and good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine confidence. Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines was associated with over three times higher odds of vaccine uptake. Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines was low in Tanzania. Innovative community engagement strategies and region-specific interventions are needed to improve comprehensive knowledge and address community perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines.

Behavioural and Social Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Persons with Disabilities in Kenya

“…The strong influence of high vaccine confidence and risk perception is corroborated in prior studies [21] , [22], [23], [24] with the pandemic reported to have had a positive impact on general vaccine confidence in Kenya. c Masters et al also cited low confidence in COVID-19 vaccine as the strongest correlate of not taking COVID-19 vaccines (adjusted prevalence ratio = 5.19, 95% CI = 4.93 -5.47) [25] .…”

A Qualitative Study on Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Community Members in Tanzania

“…At the district level, two to six wards or shehia (smallest government administrative unit in Pemba and Zanzibar) were randomly selected. The details sampling methods, sample size calculation, and statistical analysis of the quantitative study are reported elsewhere [ 6 , 8 ]. This paper focuses on qualitative data.…”

“…Previous studies have identified and documented various factors that relate to vaccine hesitancy. These included religion and culture [ 4 , 5 ], perceived risk or benefits of receiving the vaccine, perceived importance of the vaccine, fear of side effects, lack of vaccine confidence, geographical accessibility, cost, mode of administration, the recommendations from health care providers, lack of information, and media or communication [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”