Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among health care workers in Lokoja, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Equitable access to safe and effective vaccines is focal to ending the COVID‑19 pandemic. There are many questions and myths to the acceptance and nonacceptance of COVID‑19 vaccines among Nigerian populace including health workers. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the acceptance rate and side effects of COVID‑19 vaccines among the health workers of Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH), Lokoja. Materials and Methods: This was an institutional‑based descriptive study conducted over a period of two months between April 9, 2021, and June 8, 2021. The study population included all the staff that participated in the first batch of available COVID‑19 vaccines at KSSH, Lokoja. We distributed a self‑administered questionnaire among the first 48 staff of the hospital to collect information on their sociodemographic characteristics, cadres, reasons for acceptance of the vaccine, and side effects. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software windows version 20. Results: Out of the 420 staff of the hospital, 48 accepted to be vaccinated accounting for 11.4%. All the respondents were aware of the COVID‑19 pandemic, and prevention of the disease was their reasons for accepting the vaccine. The sociodemographic patterns revealed that 15 (31.2%) of the respondent were within 40–49 years of age. The majority of the respondents were males 29 (60.4%), Igalas 18 (37.5%), followed by Yorubas 16 (33.3%) while Ebiras were 6 (12.5%). Medical doctors were the majority 23 (47.9%) followed by nursing staff 19 (39.58%) and no pharmacist participated. Out of the 48 respondents, 24 (50%) had mild side effects which were generalized body weakness, headaches, and fever which resolved spontaneously and there was no fatality. Conclusions: COVID‑19 vaccine acceptability rate among health workers in KSSH, Lokoja, was 11.4%. Preventive measure was the reason for taking the vaccine, and there was no fatality among respondents. The respondents were willing to tell others to accept the vaccine as means of preventing COVID‑19 infection.