Drivers of Routine and Outbreak Vaccination Uptake in the Western Democratic Republic of Congo: An Exploratory Study in Ten Health Zones

Peckeu-Abboud, Laurène; Mangoni, Patrick; Chammam, Kaouther; Kwete, Papy; Lupola, Patrick Mutombo; Vanlerberghe, Veerle; Yango, Jepsy; Meudec, Marie; Ifufa, Christian; Sande, Marianne A. B. van der; Madinga, Joule; Mbala, Placide

doi:10.3390/vaccines10071066

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast, a willingness to receive routine vaccines may not consistently predict positive attitudes toward new vaccines deployed in outbreak situations. A community survey in the Western DRC found that the willingness to receive routine vaccinations was high (90%), while the willingness to receive outbreak vaccines (i.e., cholera, Ebola, and COVID-19) was much lower (57%) [ 68 ]. In our survey, those who perceived that new vaccines were riskier had a lower intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which supported the evidence of heightened hesitancy toward new vaccines, particularly those introduced during outbreaks [ 55 , 56 , 69 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions among Ebola-Affected Communities in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021

Garbern,

Perera,

Mbong

et al. 2023

Vaccines

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Populations affected by humanitarian crises and emerging infectious disease outbreaks may have unique concerns and experiences that influence their perceptions toward vaccines. In March 2021, we conducted a survey to examine the perceptions toward COVID-19 vaccines and identify the factors associated with vaccine intention among 631 community members (CMs) and 438 healthcare workers (HCWs) affected by the 2018–2020 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify correlates of vaccine intention. Most HCWs (81.7%) and 53.6% of CMs felt at risk of contracting COVID-19; however, vaccine intention was low (27.6% CMs; 39.7% HCWs). In both groups, the perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, general vaccine confidence, and male sex were associated with the intention to get vaccinated, with security concerns preventing vaccine access being negatively associated. Among CMs, getting the Ebola vaccine was associated with the intention to get vaccinated (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.05–1.94). Among HCWs, concerns about new vaccines’ safety and side effects (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57–0.91), religion’s influence on health decisions (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.34–0.61), security concerns (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37–0.74), and governmental distrust (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.35–0.70) were negatively associated with vaccine perceptions. Enhanced community engagement and communication that address this population’s concerns could help improve vaccine perceptions and vaccination decisions. These findings could facilitate the success of vaccine campaigns in North Kivu and similar settings.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions among Ebola-Affected Communities in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021

Garbern,

Perera,

Mbong

et al. 2023

Vaccines

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Vaccination coverage in sub-Saharan African countries is inconsistent, with generally high coverage of routine child vaccines included in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) on one hand and low coverage of the COVID-19 vaccines and the Ebola or cholera vaccines used during outbreaks on the other. 1 However, whereas more than 90% of children receive at least one dose of a vaccine for childhood illnesses, only 56.5% are fully vaccinated, defined as having received all of the required doses of vaccines against six diseases during six vaccination sessions. 2 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Drivers of Low Vaccination Utilization in Niger

Seytre,

Chaibou,

Simon

2024

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Vaccination adherence involves the expected benefit of a vaccine and the perceived risk of the disease. To develop an evidence-based communication strategy aimed at improving vaccination coverage in Niger, we conducted a mixed socio-anthropological study of the perceptions among the population on the benefit and the risk of the childhood (Expanded Program on Immunization) and the COVID-19 vaccines. Our results show that negative rumors are not a significant driver of vaccine refusal. The insufficient level of fully vaccinated, compared with partially vaccinated, children might be explained by misunderstandings around the side effects of vaccines and the necessity for full vaccination. Approximately one-fourth of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19, whereas 73.3% think that vaccines against the disease are a “good thing,” and 83% of those who have heard messages promoting the vaccination approve of them. This apparent contradiction is explained by a low perception of the risks of COVID-19. More than half of the population surveyed believe that the disease is not present in the country. A large majority believe that only ill people can transmit the disease, whereas only 12.8% think they know anybody who has ever been sick with COVID-19. Three-fourths of the interviewees have seen images from around the world of persons sick or deceased from COVID-19; the same proportion has not seen any such images of affected patients in Niger. Communication to improve COVID-19 uptake should focus on the reality of the disease presence and its transmission and not on rumors surrounding the vaccines.

show abstract

Vaccination coverage and adverse events following a reactive vaccination campaign against hepatitis E in Bentiu displaced persons camp, South Sudan

Nesbitt,

Asilaza,

Gignoux

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Hepatitis E (HEV) genotypes 1 and 2 are a common cause of jaundice and acute viral hepatitis that can cause large-scale outbreaks. HEV infection is associated with adverse fetal outcomes and case fatality risks up to 26% among pregnant women. An efficacious three-dose recombinant vaccine (Hecolin®) has been licensed in China since 2011 but until 2022, had not been used for outbreak response despite a 2015 WHO recommendation. The first ever mass vaccination campaign against hepatitis E in response to an outbreak was implemented in 2022 in Bentiu internally displaced persons camp in South Sudan targeting 27,000 residents 16-40 years old, including pregnant women. Methods: We conducted a vaccination coverage survey using simple random sampling from a sampling frame of all camp shelters following the third round of vaccination. For survey participants vaccinated in the third round in October, we asked about the onset of symptoms experienced within 72 hours of vaccination. During each of the three vaccination rounds, passive surveillance of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) was put in place at vaccination sites and health facilities in Bentiu IDP camp. Results: We surveyed 1,599 individuals and found that self-reported coverage with one or more dose was 86% (95% CI 84-88%), 73% (95% CI 70-75%) with two or more doses and 58% (95% CI 55-61%) with three doses. Vaccination coverage did not differ significantly by sex or age group. We found no significant difference in coverage of at least one dose between pregnant and non-pregnant women, although coverage of at least two and three doses was 8 and 14 percentage points lower in pregnant women. The most common reasons for non-vaccination were temporary absence or unavailability, reported by 60% of unvaccinated people. Passive AEFI surveillance captured few mild AEFI, and through the survey we found that 91 (7.6%) of the 1,195 individuals reporting to have been vaccinated in October 2022 reported new symptoms starting within 72 hours after vaccination, most commonly fever, headache or fatigue. Conclusions: We found a high coverage of at least one dose of the Hecolin vaccine following three rounds of vaccination, and no severe AEFI. The vaccine was well accepted and well tolerated in the Bentiu IDP camp community and should be considered for use in future outbreak response.

show abstract

Drivers of Routine and Outbreak Vaccination Uptake in the Western Democratic Republic of Congo: An Exploratory Study in Ten Health Zones

Cited by 3 publications

References 35 publications

COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions among Ebola-Affected Communities in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions among Ebola-Affected Communities in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021

The Drivers of Low Vaccination Utilization in Niger

Vaccination coverage and adverse events following a reactive vaccination campaign against hepatitis E in Bentiu displaced persons camp, South Sudan

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About