COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy, Self-Reported Adverse Events, and Determinants Among Ethiopian Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This nationwide cross-sectional online survey aimed to assess coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy, self-reported adverse events (SRAEs), and associated determinants among Ethiopian healthcare professionals (HCPs) during the pandemic (June 19–July 31, 2021). This survey collected data from 674 HCPs after the COVID-19 vaccine's first dose became available in Ethiopia. Hesitancy to the first and second vaccine doses was 45.6% and 17.6% among unvaccinated and vaccinated participants, respectively. Fear of side effects (39.9%) and doubts about vaccine effectiveness (29.7%) were the primary reasons for hesitancy toward the first COVID-19 vaccine dose. For the second dose, hesitancy stemmed from perceived lack of difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals (8.4%) and post-first-dose COVID-19 infection (6.4%). The factors associated with hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (first dose) were being Muslim (p = 0.026), belief about the origin of COVID-19 (p < 0.001), attributing the pandemic to God/Allah's wrath (p = 0.020), failure to maintain physical distance (p = 0.029), and lack of access to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (p < 0.001). Moreover, religion (Muslim, [p = 0.049]) and frequency of maintaining physical distance (i.e., often/usually, [p = 0.025]) were associated with second-dose COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Muslim HCPs had 63% lower odds of first-dose hesitancy (AOR = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16–0.89). Hesitancy increased among those who never maintained physical distancing (AOR = 4.74, 95% CI: 1.18–19.08) and those with vaccine access (AOR = 4.45, 95% CI: 1.98–10.00). Pain at the injection site (55.3%) and fatigue (44.4%) were the most frequently reported SRAEs among the vaccinated HCPs. The factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine SRAEs were religion (others) (p = 0.04), work experience > 7 years (p = 0.03), monthly income between 3000 and 10,000 (p = 0.03), and living with other people (p = 0.04). Addressing safety concerns, enhancing transparency, and leveraging religious/community engagement are critical to improving vaccine uptake among HCPs.