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

ABSTRACTThis 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.