The aim of this study was to investigate public knowledge and perceptions of both the COVID-19 pandemic itself and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among adults (aged 18 years and above) in 15 African countries.* The study was conducted between August and December 2020, combining face-to-face (F2F) and telephone (CATI – computer assisted telephone interviewing) approaches in different countries, with a minimum of 1,000 interviews in each. The 15 countries were selected to cover CDC Africa’s five regions (Northern, Western, Central, Eastern and Southern) and to include countries with both higher and lower reported rates of COVID-19 cases, and countries with both larger and smaller populations.
The study was conducted by ORB International in collaboration with the Vaccine Confidence ProjectTM at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine on behalf of Africa CDC, who has funded this study with additional support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
*Northern region: Morocco and Tunisia; Eastern region: Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda; Central region: Gabon and DR Congo; Southern region: South Africa and Malawi; Western region: Nigeria, Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Senegal.
Findings
Despite more positive perceptions of the importance and efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine, a significant proportion across the continent express concerns around vaccine safety. Specific demographic and attitudinal groups show higher levels of scepticism towards a COVID-19
vaccine than toward vaccines in general.
COVID-19 Vaccine Importance
Percentage of people who strongly agree that COVID-19 vaccines are important. “Neither” encompasses “Don’t know,” “Tend to Agree,” ”Tend to Disagree,” and “Refused.”
Importance of Vaccines in General
Percentage of people who strongly agree that vaccines are important. “Neither” encompasses “Don’t know,” “Tend to Agree,” ”Tend to Disagree,” and “Refused.”
COVID-19 Vaccine Safety
Percentage of people who strongly agree that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. “Neither” encompasses “Don’t know,” “Tend to Agree,” ”Tend to Disagree,” and “Refused.”
Safety of Vaccines in General
Percentage of people who strongly agree that vaccines are safe. “Neither” encompasses “Don’t know,” “Tend to Agree,” ”Tend to Disagree,” and “Refused.”
COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness
Percentage of people who strongly agree that COVID-19 vaccines are effective. “Neither” encompasses “Don’t know,” “Tend to Agree,” ”Tend to Disagree,” and “Refused.”
Effectiveness of Vaccines in General
Percentage of people who strongly agree that vaccines are effective. “Neither” encompasses “Don’t know,” “Tend to Agree,” ”Tend to Disagree,” and “Refused.”
