COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and its Determinants: Findings From A Web-Based Survey in Nigeria

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccination was identified as a major effort to curb the global challenge of this highly infectious disease. However, the coverage rate is an essential factor that decides successful vaccination. As vaccines are being distributed around the world, there is a debate on their acceptability, accessibility, and barriers to receiving them despite the availability of the vaccine. This study was conducted to assess the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination, and its determinants among internet users in Nigeria. An online survey was conducted between February and April 2022 using a semi-structured questionnaire. It was set up using Google Forms and data were collected via online method. Relevant data collected were analyzed using STATA version 14. A total of 378 respondents participated in the study, with a mean age of 32 years (± 8.50) years. Majority of the respondents are young adults between the age range of 25-35 years. 74.9% of the respondents are Christians. All the respondents have heard of the COVID-19 vaccine while about one-third of them had taken the COVID-19 vaccine (62.2%). The uptake of the vaccine had a significant positive association with the level of education and level of monthly income (p =0.004 and 0.002 respectively) aORs =0.386, 95% (CI=0.184-0.810). Two out of three Nigerian respondents had taken the coronavirus vaccine. However, the long distance to get to vaccination centers was the leading barrier to vaccine uptake.  Hence, this calls for key stakeholders to ensure that COVID-19 vaccination centers are close to residents in Nigeria and for leaders at all levels to be involved in public education based on sound evidence and the discouragement of the spread of conspiracy theories to eliminate the negative associated factors will reduce vaccine hesitancy and thereby increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Nigeria.