School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Robert 11 Sobukwe Rd, Western Cape, 7535, South Africa.
Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Barnett 13 House, Oxford, 14 3, UK.
BMC Health Serv Res. 2024 Nov 18;24(1):1425. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-11630-8.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for increased vaccine availability and uptake, with vaccine hesitancy posing a significant barrier, particularly among young adults. Evidence from various countries highlight high levels of hesitancy among young people, necessitating targeted interventions. Engaging young adults as key stakeholders in shaping public health strategies is crucial, as their perspectives can enhance vaccine acceptance. This study aimed to assess the overall acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine among young people and to explore the factors influencing their willingness or reluctance to be vaccinated now and in the future.
This study used qualitative data from 165 young adults in Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia, to explore their suggestions for policies and strategies aimed at enhancing the acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccination among their age group. Data collection involved focus groups and interviews that explored participants' perceptions and recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccination acceptability. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Thematic analysis identified several factors influencing vaccine acceptability among young people and suggested recommendations to improve it. The themes included developing targeted communication strategies for accurate vaccine information, offering alternative vaccination methods, promoting vaccine education in schools, and using trusted public figures to share accurate information.
Persistent dissatisfaction with vaccine information dissemination underscores the need for more targeted communication strategies among young adults. Recommendations include developing non-injection vaccine options, incorporating vaccine education into school curricula and community programs, and leveraging influential public figures to build credibility. These insights are valuable for designing future programs to enhance vaccine acceptance among adolescents.
COVID-19 大流行凸显了增加疫苗供应和接种的必要性，而疫苗犹豫是一个重大障碍，尤其是在年轻人中。来自不同国家的证据表明，年轻人中存在高度的犹豫，这需要有针对性的干预措施。让年轻人作为制定公共卫生战略的关键利益相关者参与其中至关重要，因为他们的观点可以提高疫苗的接受度。本研究旨在评估年轻人对 COVID-19 疫苗的总体接受程度，并探讨影响他们现在和未来接种疫苗意愿或不情愿的因素。
本研究使用来自尼日利亚、南非和赞比亚的 165 名年轻人的定性数据，探讨他们对旨在提高其年龄组对 COVID-19 疫苗接受度的政策和策略的建议。数据收集涉及探讨参与者对 COVID-19 疫苗可接受性的看法和建议的焦点小组和访谈。采用主题分析对数据进行分析。
主题分析确定了影响年轻人疫苗接受度的几个因素，并提出了改进建议。这些主题包括为准确的疫苗信息制定有针对性的沟通策略、提供替代疫苗接种方法、在学校和社区项目中推广疫苗教育以及利用可信的公众人物分享准确信息。
对疫苗信息传播的持续不满突出表明，需要针对年轻人制定更有针对性的沟通策略。建议包括开发非注射疫苗选择、将疫苗教育纳入学校课程和社区计划，并利用有影响力的公众人物建立信誉。这些见解对于设计未来的计划以提高青少年对疫苗的接受度非常有价值。
