Conspiracy theories and misinformation about COVID-19 in Nigeria: Implications for vaccine demand generation communications

Wonodi, Chizoba; Obi‐Jeff, Chisom; Adewumi, Funmilayo; Keluo-Udeke, Somto Chloe; Gur‐Arie, Rachel; Krubiner, Carleigh; Jaffe, Elana; Bamiduro, Tobi; Karron, Ruth A.; Faden, Ruth R.

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.02.005

Cited by 68 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…However, our estimate is lower than prior observational studies conducted in China 86.2% [ 42 ], France 76.9% [ 43 ], Saudi Arabia 64.9% [ 44 ], Canada 80.9% [ 45 ], Germany 91.7% [ 46 ] and United Kingdom 59% [ 47 ]. Low confidence in the vaccine, invasion of media misinformation, conspiracy theories, infodemic, religious beliefs, and possibly past vaccine hesitancy in the continent could all be factors contributing to the low COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate [ 48 , 49 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health care workers in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2022

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Introduction Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) vaccine acceptance, and hesitancy amongst Health Care Workers (HCWs) on the African continent have been examined through observational studies. However, there are currently no comprehensive reviews among these cadre of population in Africa. Hence, we aimed to review the acceptance rate and possible reasons for COVID-19 vaccine non-acceptance/hesitancy amongst HCWs in Africa. Methods We searched Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, and Africa Journal Online from January, 2020 to September, 2021. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment tool adapted for cross-sectional studies was used to assess the quality of the retrieved studies. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to pool the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate. Sub-group and sensitivity analyses were performed. Reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were also systematically analyzed. Results Twenty-one (21) studies were found to be eligible for review out of the 513 initial records. The estimated pooled COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was 46% [95% CI: 37%-54%]. The pooled estimated COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was 37% [95% CI: 27%-47%] in North Africa, 28% [95% CI: 20%-36%] in Central Africa, 48% [CI: 38%-58%] in West Africa, 49% [95% CI: 30%-69%] in East Africa, and 90% [CI: 85%-96%] in Southern Africa. The estimated pooled vaccine acceptance was 48% [95% CI:38%-57%] for healthcare workers, and 34% [95% CI:29%-39%] for the healthcare students. Major drivers and reasons were the side effects of the vaccine, vaccine’s safety, efficacy and effectiveness, short duration of the clinical trials, COVID-19 infections, limited information, and social trust. Conclusion The data revealed generally low acceptance of the vaccine amongst HCWs across Africa. The side effects of the vaccine, vaccine’s safety, efficacy and effectiveness, short duration of the clinical trials, COVID-19 infections, limited information, and social trust were the major reasons for COVID-19 hesitancy in Africa. The misconceptions and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance amongst HCWs must be addressed as soon as possible in the continent to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates in Africa.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health care workers in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2022

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“…Other influences are people’s own state of health as well as their age, occupation, religious faith, educational background, political views or trust in experts or government [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] . Indepth qualitative research conducted in countries as diverse as Côte d’Ivoire [19] , Nigeria [20] , England [21] , Switzerland [22] , Sweden [23] and China [24] have demonstrated the intersections of such sociocultural factors with ideas about COVID vaccination acceptance, hesitancy or rejection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This scholarship has shown that understandings of human immunity have evolved from the ‘attack’ and ‘defence’ model of the early twentieth century [30] towards the concept of the porous, precarious and dynamic immune system [31] . People now often think of immune systems as being unique to the individual, based on their health history and lifestyle [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understandings and practices related to risk, immunity and vaccination during the Delta variant COVID-19 outbreak in Australia: An interview study

Lupton

2022

Vaccine: X

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“…Amongst the popular and widely spread COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theory was that vaccines contained a microchip that the government would use to track individuals [ 23 ]. In a survey done in Nigeria, observers listed 33 different conspiracy theories regarding the COVID-19 virus and the vaccine [ 24 ]. Some believed COVID-19 was a biological weapon whereas others heard that vaccination was a way for the government to take their money [ 24 ].…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a survey done in Nigeria, observers listed 33 different conspiracy theories regarding the COVID-19 virus and the vaccine [ 24 ]. Some believed COVID-19 was a biological weapon whereas others heard that vaccination was a way for the government to take their money [ 24 ]. Other social media-cultivated misinformation was that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine causes infertility, which was later denied in a joint statement by the leading medical societies of the US including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ 25 ].…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Vaccine Challenges in Developing and Developed Countries

Yarlagadda¹,

Patel²,

Gupta³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to significant psychological and economical distress. Within a year after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, several vaccines against COVID-19 were approved for emergency use. The journey from vaccine discovery to global herd immunity against COVID-19 continues to present significant challenges revolving around its development, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability at both a country level and an individual level. The main challenge faced by developed countries is the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine and the main challenge faced by developing countries is the affordability and accessibility of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Conspiracy theories and misinformation about COVID-19 in Nigeria: Implications for vaccine demand generation communications

Cited by 68 publications

References 31 publications

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health care workers in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health care workers in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Understandings and practices related to risk, immunity and vaccination during the Delta variant COVID-19 outbreak in Australia: An interview study

COVID-19 Vaccine Challenges in Developing and Developed Countries

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