RESUMEN
Mass vaccination has proven useful in the control of COVID-19, though vaccine rollout has met major challenges. The learning curve of this process has been valuable. This qualitative study aimed to assess the plan, the process and the progress of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Lagos, Nigeria. This study was conducted at vaccination centers in eight of the 20 Local Government Areas in Lagos State from May to July 2021 among healthcare administrators, health workers and vaccine recipients. Data were collected by conducting three key informant interviews, 24 in-depth interviews and eight focus group discussions to explore the vaccination experiences of participants and the challenges facing the vaccination plan and process. The interviews and discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the thematic approach. The four-phased plan for the vaccine rollout was clear to all the key informants because the vaccination process was preceded by training. The process was strengthened by the electronic registration system, though riddled by the frequently unstable electronic and internet data capturing. This was mitigated by a stopgap manual registration and recording of client details. Challenges in the logistics of maintaining supplies of the disposable materials required for the vaccination process were overcome by the creativity of the health professionals. Vaccine hesitancy, fueled by misinformation, myths and misconceptions about the vaccine and its side effects, played a huge role in the community response. The reported vaccine side effects were mild; fever, headaches, pain at the injection site, excessive eating and sleepiness. Though the COVID-19 vaccination process appeared to have largely made progress, the future of vaccination in Nigeria is predicated upon a bottom-up approach to programmatic planning, health education and local vaccine production. Collaborations such as public-private partnerships have the potential of boosting vaccine provision for Nigeria's large population to ensure equitable access to vaccines.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: some promising COVID-19 vaccines are soon to be available but getting the African community to accept them may be challenging. This study assessed the acceptability and willingness to pay (WTP) for hypothetical COVID-19 vaccines among Nigerians. METHODS: a cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among the Nigerian populace. A 20-item questionnaire was used to collect responses through Google form which was shared to consenting participants through two social media platforms. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the sociodemographic factors that were predictive of respondents´ willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccines. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: six hundred and eighty-nine respondents completed the survey, with 50.5% being females. Exactly 43.3% of respondents reported that they would accept a hypothetical vaccine if it is currently available, 62.1% said they would accept it in the future while 71.1% agreed to accept it if recommended by healthcare providers. A third (31.9%) of respondents accepted the vaccine for their self-protection and half of those not accepting it (51.3%) said they did not want to "be used as an experiment". Respondents who were of oldest ages (aOR=0.330, 95% CI: 0.141-0.767, p=0.010), of Christian religion (aOR=3.251, 95% CI: 1.301-8.093, p=0.011), and aware of a possible vaccine being made available (aOR=0.636, 95% CI: 0.440-0.920) were significantly more unwilling to accept the vaccine. The median range of WTP was US$1.2-2.5. CONCLUSION: there is a low acceptance in Nigeria for a COVID-19 vaccine if it was available now, but much higher if it is recommended by a healthcare provider. A high proportion of willing respondents indicated a positive WTP for the vaccine.