Hesitancy towards R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine among Ghanaian parents and attitudes towards immunizing non-eligible children: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The newly developed malaria vaccine called "R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine" showed a high safety and efficacy level, and Ghana is the first country to approve this new vaccine. The present study aimed to evaluate the rate of vaccine hesitancy (VH) towards the newly developed malaria vaccine among parents who currently have children who are not eligible for the vaccine but may be eligible in the near future. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the factors that could potentially influence VH. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using both online-based questionnaires and face-to-face interviews was conducted in Ghana from June to August 2023. The survey specifically targeted parents of ineligible children for vaccination, including those aged less than 5 months or between 3 and 12 years. The Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccination (PACV) scale was used to assess parental VH. RESULTS: A total of 765 people participated in this study. Their median age was 36.0 years with an interquartile range of 31.0-41.0 years, 67.7% were females, 41.8% completed their tertiary education, 63.3% were married, 81.6% worked in non-healthcare sectors, and 59.7% reported that their monthly income was insufficient. About one-third (34.5%) of the parents were hesitant to give their children the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine. The following predictors were associated with VH: working in the healthcare sector (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30-0.80; p = 0.005), having the other parent working in the healthcare sector (AOR = 0.54; 95% CI 0.30-0.94; p = 0.034), and not taking scheduled routine vaccinations (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.27-2.84; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Addressing VH is crucial for optimizing R21/Matrix-M vaccine coverage in Ghana's malaria control strategy. By tackling VH issues, Ghana can effectively safeguard children's health in malaria-prone areas.

Examining Vaccine Hesitancy Among Ghanaian Parents for the R21/Matrix-M Malaria Vaccine.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess Ghanaian parental attitudes toward a new malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, and its associated determinants. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted anonymously in July and August 2023 using snowball and convenience sampling techniques, using the Parental Attitude about Children Vaccination Scale. RESULTS: A total of 818 individuals were included, 67.2% were females, their median age was 32 years, and 29.01% were hesitant to vaccinate their children. People living in forests, with younger children, having the youngest child aged 1-3 years, skipping antenatal care or scheduled vaccinations, and not being willing to give the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to children, were vaccine-hesitant. However, healthcare workers, those having a relative who died from malaria, and those who vaccinated their child against malaria were less hesitant. DISCUSSION: A large sector of parents expressed willingness to vaccinate their children against malaria. Addressing parental hesitancy requires intervention programs targeting the identified factors and enhancing parental knowledge.