Understanding the perceptions of risks versus the benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations in Manyara, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Few would argue that vaccines have not saved more lives than any other medical invention. Eradicating smallpox, reducing wild poliovirus, saving the world from the Ebola virus, and reversing the trend of COVID-19 infections, vaccines are common references in revolutionising global health. These successes were not achieved without varying perceptions of the risks of diseases versus the benefits of vaccination.

Aim: The study aimed to assess whether the perceived severity versus benefits of vaccination significantly influenced COVID-19 vaccination.

Setting: This study was conducted in the Manyara region, Tanzania.

Methods: A cross-sectional study were conducted among adults above 18 years across seven councils of the Manyara region, Tanzania. Forty focus group discussions (FGDs) and 32 key informant interviews (KIIs) generated qualitative data, in contrast to household surveys for quantitative data.

Results: Over half, 54.6%, who perceived the COVID-19 vaccine as effective in preventing severe illness or death were vaccinated compared to those who disagreed (45.1%), indicating a strong association between vaccine effectiveness perception and vaccine acceptance or hesitancy (p = 0.003). Similarly, closeness or personal contact with an infected person was a major determinant for vaccination. Some 62.9% of respondents whose family members or friends were infected were vaccinated compared to 43.8% without any close experience of the infection (p = 0.032).

Conclusion: This study found that perceptions of the severity of risks or benefits of vaccination significantly influenced the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in Manyara.

Contribution: This study underscores the importance of other factors that influence perceptions of risks and benefits of healthcare services even if they were offered at no cost to the beneficiary.