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. 2023 Mar 25;11(4):729.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines11040729.

A Qualitative Study Exploring Motivators and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Adults in South Africa and Zimbabwe

Nellie Myburgh  1   2 , Mamakiri Mulaudzi  2   3 , Gugulethu Tshabalala  2   3 , Norest Beta  4 , Kimberley Gutu  1 , Stefanie Vermaak  2   3 , Charles Lau  5 , Catherine Hill  1 , Lawrence Stanberry  6 , Wilmot James  7 , Shabir Madhi  1 , Tariro Makadzange  4 , Janan Janine Dietrich  2   3   8
Affiliations

A Qualitative Study Exploring Motivators and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Adults in South Africa and Zimbabwe

Nellie Myburgh et al. Vaccines (Basel). .

Abstract

While vaccines are a well-established method of controlling the spread of infectious diseases, vaccine hesitancy jeopardizes curbing the spread of COVID-19. Through the Vaccine Information Network (VIN), this study explored barriers and motivators to COVID-19 vaccine uptake. We conducted 18 focus group discussions with male and female community members, stratified by country, age group, and-for Zimbabwe only-by HIV status. Participants' median age across both countries was 40 years (interquartile range of 22-40), and most (65.9%) were female. We conceptualized the key themes within the World Health Organization's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) 3C (convenience, confidence, complacency) vaccine hesitancy model. Barriers to vaccine uptake-lack of convenience, low confidence, and high complacency-included inaccessibility of vaccines and vaccination sites, vaccine safety and development concerns, and disbelief in COVID-19's existence. Motivators to vaccine uptake-convenience, confidence, and low complacency-included accessibility of vaccination sites, user-friendly registration processes, trust in governments and vaccines, fear of dying from COVID-19, and knowing someone who had died from or become infected with COVID-19. Overall, vaccine hesitancy in South Africa and Zimbabwe was influenced by inconvenience, a lack of confidence, and high complacency around COVID-19 vaccines.

Keywords: Africa; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; hesitancy; vaccines.

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Conflict of interest statement

L.S. is a paid member of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine data monitoring committee and the Pfizer C467 Program-Level External Data Monitoring Committee. All other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The 3Cs of vaccine hesitancy [10].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Findings using the SAGE 3C vaccine hesitancy model (adapted from the WHO Report of the SAGE Working Group on Vaccine Hesitancy [10]).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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