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. 2023 May 11;11(5):973.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines11050973.

COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions among Ebola-Affected Communities in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021

Stephanie Chow Garbern  1 , Shiromi M Perera  2 , Eta Ngole Mbong  3 , Shibani Kulkarni  4 , Monica K Fleming  4 , Arsene Baleke Ombeni  3 , Rigobert Fraterne Muhayangabo  3 , Dieula Delissaint Tchoualeu  4 , Ruth Kallay  4 , Elizabeth Song  5 , Jasmine Powell  5 , Monique Gainey  6 , Bailey Glenn  4   7 , Hongjiang Gao  4 , Ruffin Mitume Mutumwa  3 , Stephane Hans Bateyi Mustafa  8 , Neetu Abad  4 , Gnakub Norbert Soke  9 , Dimitri Prybylski  4 , Reena H Doshi  4 , Rena Fukunaga  10 , Adam C Levine  1
Affiliations

COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions among Ebola-Affected Communities in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021

Stephanie Chow Garbern et al. Vaccines (Basel). .

Abstract

Populations affected by humanitarian crises and emerging infectious disease outbreaks may have unique concerns and experiences that influence their perceptions toward vaccines. In March 2021, we conducted a survey to examine the perceptions toward COVID-19 vaccines and identify the factors associated with vaccine intention among 631 community members (CMs) and 438 healthcare workers (HCWs) affected by the 2018-2020 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify correlates of vaccine intention. Most HCWs (81.7%) and 53.6% of CMs felt at risk of contracting COVID-19; however, vaccine intention was low (27.6% CMs; 39.7% HCWs). In both groups, the perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, general vaccine confidence, and male sex were associated with the intention to get vaccinated, with security concerns preventing vaccine access being negatively associated. Among CMs, getting the Ebola vaccine was associated with the intention to get vaccinated (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.05-1.94). Among HCWs, concerns about new vaccines' safety and side effects (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57-0.91), religion's influence on health decisions (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.34-0.61), security concerns (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37-0.74), and governmental distrust (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.35-0.70) were negatively associated with vaccine perceptions. Enhanced community engagement and communication that address this population's concerns could help improve vaccine perceptions and vaccination decisions. These findings could facilitate the success of vaccine campaigns in North Kivu and similar settings.

Keywords: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ebola Virus Disease; SARS-CoV-2; humanitarian; outbreak; pandemic; vaccine acceptance; vaccine hesitancy; vaccines.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest. The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or International Medical Corps or any institutions that the authors are affiliated with.

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