Kessy SJ, Wei T, Zhou Y, Zhang W, Alwy Al‐Beity FM, Zhang S, Du J, Cui F, Lu Q. Vaccination willingness, vaccine hesitancy, and estimated coverage of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine among healthcare workers in Tanzania: A call for action.
Immun Inflamm Dis 2023;
11:e1126. [PMID:
38156379 PMCID:
PMC10750438 DOI:
10.1002/iid3.1126]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The global COVID-19 pandemic presented an immense obstacle to public health, with vaccination emerging as a crucial measure to curb transmission. This study aimed to evaluate the willingness, hesitancy, and coverage of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Tanzania and reveal their concerns about SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the reasons that might prevent them from getting vaccinated.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study using an anonymous online survey from October to November 2022. The multivariate logistic regression model explored the factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine willingness, hesitancy, and coverage.
RESULTS
The study included 560 HCWs, with the largest group being doctors (47.9%), followed by nurses (26.9%) and other HCWs (25.2%). A total of 70.5% of HCWs reported being vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. The primary driver for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was collective responsibility. A total of 81.4% of HCWs reported being willing to accept SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, while 62.5% of HCWs reported vaccine hesitancy. HCWs with higher educational qualifications were likelier to take the vaccine, while the respondents aged 18-30 years had the highest SARS-CoV-2 vaccination refusal (71.9%). We also investigated the role of HCWs as a source of information to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake. 79.4% of HCWs provided information and advice on SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
CONCLUSION
To increase vaccine acceptance among HCWs and the general population, targeted messaging is needed to deliver transparent information on vaccine safety, efficacy, and development.
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