Lack of trust, insufficient knowledge and risk denial; an in-depth understanding of health workers barriers to uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine at Iganga Hospital Eastern Uganda, and Mengo Hospital Kampala Uganda

Abstract

COVID 19 Vaccine hesitancy among health workers remains a major hindrance to the governments vaccine roll out plan among health workers and other target populations in Uganda. We conducted 12 focus group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews with health workers (vaccinated and unvaccinated) to understand barriers to vaccine acceptance in their own perspective and context in central and eastern Uganda. Reported barriers to vaccine acceptance included: gross lack of trust, fear of side effects, risk denial and insufficient information about the vaccine amidst negative publicity about the vaccine from the internet and social media platforms. Others were health system inhibition factors and religious beliefs against the vaccine. We recommend a health work context specific information, education and dissemination strategy to create awareness, information and more knowledge about the vaccine to health workers. We also recommend a sustained government media campaign to give more information about the vaccine and also dispel the negative publicity and misinformation about the vaccine. Dialogue with health workers at all levels of care, positive peer influence, use of religious and opinion leaders as well as government ensuring accessibly to various COVID 19 vaccines and putting vaccine posts outside hospital settings to limit exposure to COVID patients could also increase uptake of the vaccine among health workers.