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COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Africa: a scoping review.
Ackah, Betty B B; Woo, Michael; Stallwood, Lisa; Fazal, Zahra A; Okpani, Arnold; Ukah, Ugochinyere Vivian; Adu, Prince A.
  • Ackah BBB; School of Communication, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
  • Woo M; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
  • Stallwood L; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
  • Fazal ZA; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
  • Okpani A; National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria.
  • Ukah UV; Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
  • Adu PA; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada. prince.adu@alumni.ubc.ca.
Glob Health Res Policy ; 7(1): 21, 2022 07 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1938366
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Vaccination against the novel coronavirus is one of the most effective strategies for combating the global Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a major obstacle in several regions of the world, including Africa. The objective of this rapid review was to summarize the literature on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Africa.

METHODS:

We searched Scopus, Web of Science, African Index Medicus, and OVID Medline for studies published from January 1, 2020, to March 8, 2022, examining acceptance or hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine in Africa. Study characteristics and reasons for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were extracted from the included articles.

RESULTS:

A total of 71 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Majority (n = 25, 35%) of the studies were conducted in Ethiopia. Studies conducted in Botswana, Cameroun, Cote D'Ivoire, DR Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe were also included in the review. The vaccine acceptance rate ranged from 6.9 to 97.9%. The major reasons for vaccine hesitancy were concerns with vaccine safety and side effects, lack of trust for pharmaceutical industries and misinformation or conflicting information from the media. Factors associated with positive attitudes towards the vaccine included being male, having a higher level of education, and fear of contracting the virus.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our review demonstrated the contextualized and multifaceted reasons inhibiting or encouraging vaccine uptake in African countries. This evidence is key to operationalizing interventions based on facts as opposed to assumptions. Our paper provided important considerations for addressing the challenge of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and blunting the impact of the pandemic in Africa.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Urination Disorders / Vaccines / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Reviews Topics: Vaccines Limits: Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Glob Health Res Policy Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41256-022-00255-1

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Urination Disorders / Vaccines / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Reviews Topics: Vaccines Limits: Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Glob Health Res Policy Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41256-022-00255-1