COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers in Lusaka, Zambia; Findings and Implications for the Future

Abstract

The uptake of COVID-19 vaccines is critical to address the severe consequences of the disease. Previous studies have suggested that many healthcare workers (HCWs) are hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, further enhancing hesitancy rates within countries. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy levels are currently unknown among HCWs in Zambia, which is a concern given the burden of infectious diseases in the country. Consequently, this study assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among HCWs in Lusaka, Zambia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 HCWs between August and September 2022, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Multivariable analysis was used to determine the key factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among HCWs. Of the 240 HCWs who participated, 54.2% were females. A total of 72.1% of the HCWs would accept being vaccinated, while 27.9% were hesitant. Moreover, 93.3% of HCWs had positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines, with medical doctors having the highest mean attitude score (82%). Encouragingly, HCWs with positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines had reduced odds of being hesitant (AOR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01–0.11, p < 0.001). Overall, acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs in Lusaka, Zambia, was high, especially by those with positive attitudes. However, the current hesitancy among some HCWs is a concern. Consequently, there is a need to address this and encourage HCWs to fully promote vaccination programs going forward.

COVID-19 vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in Ghana: A comprehensive analysis of knowledge, attitude, perceived vaccine effectiveness, and health belief model constructs

“…This study found an outstanding vaccine uptake among HCWs, with more than three-quarters (85.9%) of participants having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The high COVID-19 vaccination rate among HCWs in Ghana is similar to high rates reported by other researchers, such as a vaccination rate of 72.1% in Zambia [39], 77.0% in China [64], 82.5% in Malawi [65], and 70.5% in Egypt [66]. In contrast to these findings, formative studies conducted before the COVID-19 vaccines were rolled out reviewed that most HCWs had concerns about the vaccines and were not willing to get vaccinated once vaccines were made available.…”

“…Conversely, two other studies found acceptance rates of 70.0% [ 22 ] and 78.6% among HCWs in Ghana, exceeding the regional acceptance rate in Africa [ 38 ]. Key determinants of vaccine hesitancy among HCWs, particularly in developing countries included concerns about vaccine effectiveness [ 39 ], knowledge about the vaccine [ 40 , 41 ], attitude towards vaccination [ 35 , 42 , 43 ], and health belief model measures, including perceived susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 infection [ 44 , 45 ], perceived barriers and benefits to vaccination [ 42 ], and cues to action [ 46 ]. Globally, perceived COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among the general population ranged from 67.8% to 95.9%, and factors such as age, sex, level of education, and marital status significantly influenced individual perception of vaccine efficacy [ 47 ].…”

COVID-19 vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in Ghana: A comprehensive analysis of knowledge, attitude, perceived vaccine effectiveness, and health belief model constructs

“…This study found an outstanding vaccine uptake among HCWs, with more than three-quarters (85.9%) of participants having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The high COVID-19 vaccination rate among HCWs in Ghana is similar to high rates reported by other researchers, such as a vaccination rate of 72.1% in Zambia [55], 77.0% in China [56], 82.5% in Malawi [57], and 70.5% in Egypt [58]. In contrast to these findings, formative studies conducted before the COVID-19 vaccines were rolled out reviewed that most HCWs had concerns about the vaccines and were not willing to get vaccinated once vaccines were made available.…”

Vaccination willingness, vaccine hesitancy, and estimated coverage of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine among healthcare workers in Tanzania: A call for action

“…Several pre‐COVID‐19 works examined HCWs' vaccine hesitancy against vaccine‐preventable diseases, 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 but mainly in developed countries, and only a few of them are focused on Africa. 22 Given the impact of COVID‐19 on the public and the rise of COVID‐19 HCWs infection in Africa, 23 discussions on HCW vaccine attitudes have increased in Africa, 8 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 with only one article analysing vaccine hesitancy in Tanzania. 8 Therefore, this study aimed to shed light on overall SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine hesitancy, willingness, and coverage among HCWs in Tanzania and explore the nature of their concerns, perceptions of vaccine‐related information, and perceived role in responding to vaccine hesitancy.…”