There is a substantial degree of vaccine hesitancy among Africans living on the continent, as well as in the diaspora, found a University of Cape Town (UCT) study published in PLOS ONE, writes MedicalBrief.
The online cross-sectional African-wide survey was administered in Arabic, English, and French languages. A total of 5,416 individuals completed the survey. Approximately, 94% were residents of 34 African countries while the other Africans live in the diaspora.
Key findings:
- Only 63% of all participants surveyed were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and 79% were worried about its side effects.
- 39% expressed concerns of vaccine-associated infection.
- The odds of vaccine hesitancy was one-fifth among those who believed their risk of falling sick was very high, compared to those who believed their risk of falling very sick was very low. .
- Participants wanted the vaccines to be mandatory (40%), provided free of charge (78%) and distributed in homes and offices (44%).
“We found that respondents’ risk perception was related to their attitude to COVID-19 vaccines,” said Shameem Jaumdally, co-author and senior research scientist at UCT’s Lung Institute.
“Most respondents knew at least one person infected with the coronavirus and believed that they had a medium to very high risk of being infected and developing severe illness. Nonetheless, vaccine hesitancy was high: 26% believed the vaccines were unnecessary, and 43% believed alternatives to COVID-19 vaccination exist.”
Jaumdally said vaccine hesitancy was higher among young people than older adults and in rural areas compared with urban respondents.
“The overall self-rated knowledge, perception, and awareness of vaccines were high in our study. Most respondents claimed to understand how vaccines work, the routes of vaccination, and which vaccines are recommended for adults. The biggest concern among respondents was the safety of the vaccine.”
Study details
Will Africans take COVID-19 vaccination?
Abdul Azeez Anjorin, Ismail Odetokun, Ajibola Abioye, Hager Elnadi, MfonValencia Umoren, Bamu Damaris, Joseph Eyedo, Haruna Umar, Jean Nyandwi, Mena Abdalla, Sodiq Tijani, Kwame Awiagah, Gbolahan Idowu, Sifeuh Achille Fabrice, Aala Maisara, Youssef Razouqi, Zuhal Mhgoob, Salim Parker, Osaretin Asowata, Ismail Adesanya, Maureen Obara, Shameem Jaumdally, Gatera Kitema, Taofik Okuneye, Kennedy Mbanzulu, Hajj Daitoni, Ezekiel Hallie, Rasha Mosbah, Folorunso Fasina
Published in PLOS ONE on 1 December 2021
Abstract
The economic and humanistic impact of COVID-19 pandemic is enormous globally. No definitive treatment exists, hence accelerated development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines, offers a unique opportunity for COVID-19 prevention and control. Vaccine hesitancy may limit the success of vaccine distribution in Africa, therefore we assessed the potentials for coronavirus vaccine hesitancy and its determinants among Africans.
An online cross-sectional African-wide survey was administered in Arabic, English, and French languages. Questions on demographics, self-reported health status, vaccine literacy, knowledge and perception on vaccines, past experience, behaviour, infection risk, willingness to receive and affordability of the SARS-COV-2 vaccine were asked. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 5,416 individuals completed the survey. Approximately, 94% were residents of 34 African countries while the other Africans live in the Diaspora.
Only 63% of all participants surveyed were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and 79% were worried about its side effects. Thirty-nine percent expressed concerns of vaccine-associated infection. The odds of vaccine hesitancy was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.30) among those who believed their risk of infection was very high, compared to those who believed otherwise. The odds of vaccine hesitancy was one-fifth (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.28) among those who believed their risk of falling sick was very high, compared to those who believed their risk of falling very sick was very low. The OR of vaccine hesitancy was 2.72 (95% CI: 2.24, 3.31) among those who have previously refused a vaccine for themselves or their child compared to counterparts with no self-reported history of vaccine hesitancy.
Participants want the vaccines to be mandatory (40%), provided free of charge (78%) and distributed in homes and offices (44%). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is substantial among Africans based on perceived risk of coronavirus infection and past experiences.
News24 article – Only 40% of Africans want vaccine mandates, study finds (Open access)
PLOS ONE article – Will Africans take COVID-19 vaccination (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
PANDA’s ‘misleading and pseudoscientific’ claims drive vaccine hesitancy
Acceptance of vaccines is increasing, especially among blacks
Mandatory vaccinations: ‘South Africa’s looming vaccine revolt’
Zimbabwe’s ban on unvaccinated workers raises ire