‘In God We Trust’: The role of religion in COVID-19 vaccinations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: After the outbreak of COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified vaccines as one of the intervention mechanisms capable of controlling and preventing COVID-19 infections. However, the uptake of the vaccine was below the expectation, while the cause for such manifestation was unclear.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the attitude of Pentecostal believers towards COVID-19 vaccines in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The focus was to investigate the role of religion in COVID-19 vaccinations.

Setting: This study was conducted at three Pentecostal churches, namely Arise and Shine Ministry, Ufufuo na Uzima Ministry and Tanzania Assemblies of God – Makongo-juu, all located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods: The study employed qualitative interviews to generate information from 55 Pentecostal believers.

Results: Findings from this study attest that the attitude of Pentecostal believers towards COVID-19 vaccines was mixed; some hesitated to be vaccinated and another quarter accepted vaccination. Despite being provided free of charge, the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine was attributed to the social-ecological factors that the individuals were in.

Conclusion: Religion has remained a key factor for hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccines among believers. The best way to increase acceptance of COVID-19 among believers, is to have an appreciation of the socio-cultural and ecological environment where Individuals’ member resources are stored. Acceptance of COVID- 19 was not only related to scientific and medical factors, but rather religious issue as well.

Contribution: It contributes to public health efforts that acknowledges the engagement of religious and socio-cultural dimensions to disease outbreaks and interventions.