Will Africans take COVID-19 vaccination?

Anjorin, AbdulAzeez Adeyemi; Odetokun, Ismail A.; Abioye, Ajibola Ibraheem; Elnadi, Hager; Umoren, Mfon Valencia; Damaris, Bamu F.; Eyedo, Joseph; Umar, Haruna Isiyaku; Nyandwi, Jean Baptiste; Abdalla, Mena M.; Tijani, Sodiq Olawale; Awiagah, Kwame Sherrif; Idowu, Gbolahan; Fabrice, Sifeuh Noussi Achille; Maisara, Aala MohmedOsman; Razouqi, Youssef; Mhgoob, Zuhal Ebrahim; Parker, Salim; Asowata, Osaretin E.; Adesanya, Ismail Olayinka; Obara, Maureen A.; Jaumdally, Shameem Z.; Kitema, Gatera Fiston; Okuneye, Taofik A; Mbanzulu, Kennedy Makola; Daitoni, Hajj; Hallie, Ezekiel Fayiah; Mosbah, Rasha; Fasina, Folorunso O.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0260575

Cited by 49 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…A similar pattern was reported in Ghana [ 50 ] and Nigeria [ 51 ]. Furthermore, in a survey of 5416 Africans, 37% of participants were hesitant to accept the COVID-19 immunization once available to them (with the highest level of hesitancy observed among participants from Central Africa; 67%), and 79% were concerned about its negative effects [ 52 ]. Increasingly in South Africa, more people are engaging with fake information about vaccination which informs a false picture of risk [ 47 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in South African Local Communities: The VaxScenes Study

et al. 2022

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South Africa launched a mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign in May 2021, targeting 40 million adults. Understanding predictors of COVID-19 vaccine intentions was required to achieve this goal. We conducted a population-based survey in June–July 2021 using the WHO Behavioral and Social Drivers (BeSD) of COVID-19 Vaccination tool to determine predictors of vaccine hesitancy, defined as intention to refuse or uncertainty whether to accept COVID-19 vaccination. There were 1193 participants, mean age 39 (standard deviation 15) years, and 53% women, of whom 58% trusted information provided by healthcare workers and 32% were vaccine hesitant. Independent predictors of vaccine hesitancy included concerns about side effects (odds ratio (OR) 11.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.5–50.80), lack of access to the online vaccine registration platform (OR 4.75; CI 2.15–10.37), distrust of government (OR 3.0; CI 1.33–6.77), belief in conspiracy theories (OR 3.01; CI 1.32–6.77), having no monthly income (OR 1.84; CI 1.12–3.07), and depending on someone else to make vaccination decision (OR 2.47; CI 1.06–5.77). We identified modifiable predictors of vaccine hesitancy at the start of South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout. These factors should be addressed by different stakeholders involved in the national immunization program through tailored communication and other effective strategies that increase vaccine literacy, reach low-income households, and engender confidence in government.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in South African Local Communities: The VaxScenes Study

et al. 2022

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“…Such information is frequently related to the assessment of the safety, efficacy and appropriateness of vaccines, which are major concerns about the COVID-19 vaccination [ 7 ]. Despite the emergence of many studies that indicate both the high efficacy and safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines, a high level of these concerns is still observed, not only in Poland but also worldwide [ 8 , 9 ]. It has been proved that this may be due to a lack of appropriate information transfer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Attitudes, Main Concerns and Sources of Knowledge Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination in Poland in the Unvaccinated Individuals—A Nationwide Survey

2022

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Vaccination is the most effective tool to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is ineffective without appropriate public acceptance. In Poland, 53% of the country’s population is vaccinated, which puts us in the last position among the EU countries. Therefore, this study aims to assess the main concerns regarding vaccination in the unvaccinated population of Poland. The study was based on an original questionnaire that was distributed online. There were three phases of the study: Phase 1—before the preventive vaccination plan, Phase 2—2 months after implementation of the programme, Phase 3—after 4 months when the immunisation rate in Poland was 42%. A total of 4459 individuals participated in the study. As many as 1943 participants were excluded from the analysis due to lack of consent (30 subjects) or COVID-19 vaccination (1913 subjects). Out of the remaining 2516 unvaccinated individuals, 463 were participants in the first phase of the study, 1137 in the second phase of the study, and 916 in the third phase. As the preventive vaccination plan in Poland continued, concerns about vaccine adverse events, safety and efficacy were raised. The only lower concern was that about the vaccine transportation rules. Moreover, as the vaccination programme continued, there was an increase in the percentage of individuals declaring their full reluctance towards vaccination against COVID-19. Conclusions: The Internet is the main source of knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccination, so it should be focused on during vaccination campaigns. The public is primarily concerned about adverse events of vaccines and the lack of appropriate tests of the products used. Therefore, it is advisable to popularise the current state of knowledge and promote reliable information concerning the COVID-19 vaccination.

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“…In a recent study that was comprised almost entirely of residents from 34 African countries, 37% of participants were hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine hesitancy was more likely among participants with a low-risk perception of infection and those who believed that their risk of severe illness from SARS-CoV-2 infection was low 36. Vaccine hesitancy among the adult population may prevent CA who need parental/guardian consent to receive the vaccine from being vaccinated.…”

Section: Are There Challenges and Unknowns Associated With Covid-19 V...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vaccine hesitancy was more likely among participants with a low-risk perception of infection and those who believed that their risk of severe illness from SARS-CoV-2 infection was low. 36 Vaccine hesitancy among the adult population may prevent CA who need parental/guardian consent to receive the vaccine from being vaccinated. Research by the Kaiser Family Foundation 37 revealed that a higher proportion of parents of unvaccinated children feared potentially irreversible and unknown long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccines.…”

Section: Are There Challenges and Unknowns Associated With Covid-19 V...mentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 vaccines for children and adolescents in Africa: aligning our priorities to situational realities

Govender

Nyamaruze

McKerrow³

et al. 2022

BMJ Glob Health

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The evolving COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global public health crisis that continues to have a major impact on the African continent. Most countries within Africa are facing significant challenges vaccinating their populations for COVID-19. Inadequate COVID-19 vaccine supply, weaknesses in health system infrastructure, COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation, and ineffective health risk communication are contributing to low adult vaccination rates on the continent. Without sufficient COVID-19 vaccine coverage on the African continent, the prolonged social, economic and health impacts of this public health crisis are likely to exacerbate pre-existing social-structural issues in this part of the world. In this paper, we highlight trends in SARS-CoV-2 infections among children and adolescents (CA), compare COVID-19 vaccination patterns in Africa to those in high-income countries, and discuss some of the benefits, challenges and unknowns associated with vaccinating CA for COVID-19. In light of ongoing COVID-19 vaccine supply challenges and the slow progress that the African continent is making towards vaccinating the adult population, we suggest that the immediate priority for Africa is to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations among adults (particularly high-risk populations) and vulnerable CA (ie, those who are immunocompromised and/or living with certain medical conditions). Accelerating the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines and rapidly achieving high levels of vaccination coverage in the adult population will free up capacity to vaccinate CA sooner rather than later. While we hope that COVID-19 vaccines will soon become available to CA throughout Africa, countries must continue to prioritise non-pharmaceutical interventions.

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Will Africans take COVID-19 vaccination?

Cited by 49 publications

References 31 publications

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in South African Local Communities: The VaxScenes Study

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in South African Local Communities: The VaxScenes Study

Assessment of Attitudes, Main Concerns and Sources of Knowledge Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination in Poland in the Unvaccinated Individuals—A Nationwide Survey

COVID-19 vaccines for children and adolescents in Africa: aligning our priorities to situational realities

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