Study finds only 40% of Africans support mandatory vaccines
A new study has shown that only 40% of Africans believe mandatory
vaccination could potentially accelerate Covid-19 vaccine uptake.
Dr Shameem Jaumdally, co-author and senior research scientist at the University of Cape Town’s Lung Institute, says their survey looked at vaccine risk versus vaccine hesitancy.
“We found that respondents’ risk perception was related to their attitude to Covid-19 vaccines. The odds of vaccine hesitancy were substantially low if participant’s perceived risk of infection or sickness was very high.”
Jaumdally says vaccine hesitancy was more common among young people and in rural areas.
“The burden of Covid-19 was considerably less among young people, partly due to their lower risk of comorbidities. Urban residents experienced a more significant disease burden and suffered a greater economic impact as a result of the pandemic.
“The overall self-rated knowledge, perception, and awareness of vaccines were high in our study. Most respondents claimed to understand how vaccines work, the routes of vaccination, and which vaccines are recommended for adults.”
The survey was done among African residents in 29 African countries and Africans in the diaspora and has been published in a peer-reviewed journal PLOS One.
Jaumdally added that concerns about the safety of the vaccines were common.
“The majority of respondents were worried about the vaccines’ side effects, and many were even concerned that they might get infected with the coronavirus by obtaining the vaccine.
“Concerns about vaccine safety could strongly worsen any vaccines’ hesitancy, and planning for Covid-19 vaccination programs should proactively anticipate this challenge.”
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