Abstract
BackgroundEquitable access and high uptake of safe and effective vaccines is critical to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the success of these vaccines, particularly in many developing and under-developed parts of the world, the concerns of local communities including fears, potency, and levels of acceptance should be addressed. This study assessed community stakeholders’ perceptions in parts of Southeastern Nigeria about COVID-19 vaccine, towards engaging them effectively to ensure the success of the vaccination campaigns.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted involving fourteen stakeholders from the Southeastern geo-political zone of Nigeria selected using purposive sampling. In-depth semi-structured individual interviews lasting about 30 min were used to collect data. Data analysis was informed by a general inductive approach.ResultsStakeholders hoped that the development and roll out of the vaccines will bring COVID -19 to an end, will help to maintain good health and allow people get back to normal life. On the other hand, stakeholders expressed their concerns and worries about the “speed” with which the vaccines are being produced, possibility of future adverse effects from vaccination, misinformation, and level of preparedness in the health system to implement the vaccine campaign.ConclusionsThis study identified that more needs to be done to improve perceptions of those who influence health decisions in communities towards COVID-19 vaccines. This includes firstly, the involvement of the community and religious leaders in vaccine promotion. Secondly, it is imperative to develop and disseminate persuasive messaging on vaccine effectiveness and safety targeted at both health professionals, policymakers, and the community which are culturally sensitive and address identified concerns among health workers. Thirdly, the health systems should be strengthened and system-level interventions that directly target one or more of the WHO’s six health system building blocks: service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, financing, and leadership/governance.
Highlights
Equitable access and high uptake of safe and effective vaccines is critical to ending the COVID-19 pandemic
Stakeholder’s hopes and concerns about the COVID‐19 vaccine This study found three broad themes relating to the hopes and concerns of stakeholders regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in South eastern Nigeria
Considering the disruptions in normal daily life activities caused by the pandemic, the stakeholders hoped that the vaccine could help them return to normalcy
Summary
Equitable access and high uptake of safe and effective vaccines is critical to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. In Nigeria, about 253,181 cases have been confirmed resulting in about 3,136 deaths [1] It has Chukwuocha et al BMC Public Health (2022) 22:330 strained health systems, significantly reduced global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and plunged many countries into economic recession [2,3,4]. Recommended protective strategies against COVID19 include the use of face masks, physical distancing and restrictions on social gatherings, and constant hand washing [8]. These strategies have proved somewhat effective in curbing the spread of the virus, there has been a resurgence of the disease in several countries, emphasizing the need for more innovative interventions such as vaccines. Effective roll out of vaccines globally, alongside recommended protective strategies, is required to help boost immunity against COVID-19 and mitigate the public health and economic impact of the pandemic
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