Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Nigeria Through University Community Lens

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that vaccination represents one of the greatest advances in public health in human history. Nonetheless, vaccine rejection or hesitancy is a public health issue that has continuously thwarted coordinated attempts by health officials to stop the spread of infectious diseases like the Coronavirus in Nigeria. It is critical to assess public perception, which will encourage vaccine acceptance through focused initiatives. Therefore, this study assesses vaccination reluctance among the Benue State University student community. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used in the study. A questionnaire was distributed to 150 participants, selected through the convenience sample technique. SPSS was used to enter and analyse the data. Eighty-seven percent of the respondents were between their first and third years, and the majority (63%) were over 18-30. Only 68% of the respondents thought the virus was real.Additionally, none of the students had a favourable disposition towards the vaccination. The respondents cited fear of vaccine side effects (46.2%), distrust of the government (33.9%), vaccine efficacy (12.5%), and a variety of mystical possibilities (7.4%) as the major causative factors behind their hesitation to receive the vaccination. Available data show a serious communication breakdown between the respondents and the regional health authority. To improve public acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine, broad and focused public health promotion initiatives are needed to alleviate some public concerns.