COVID-19 vaccine uptake and acceptability during the second phase of vaccine rollout: a community-based survey among household heads in Zamfara state, Nigeria, 2021

Abstract Introduction Vaccines have played an important role in the control of infectious diseases globally. COVID-19 vaccine was rolled out in Zamfara State for the public in August 2021. We aimed to determine the level of COVID-19 vaccine uptake, acceptance, and awareness in Zamfara state Nigeria, during the second phase of the COVID-19 roll-out in the community. Methods We executed a descriptive cross-sectional study in Zamfara state, Nigeria. We used multistage sampling technique to randomly select 910 household heads between October 12 to December 20, 2021. We used a semi-structured electronic questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, uptake, and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine. We performed descriptive analysis; calculated frequencies, proportions, and produced tables and figures. Results Our 899 respondents had a median age of 48 years (interquartile range: 29.5-66.5). About 78.1% (711) were males. A majority of the respondents were within the age group 50-59 years. Of 897 respondents 47.2% (423) were educated up to the secondary school level. Only 8.9% (81) had received COVID-19 vaccine. Of the 829 unvaccinated respondents, 10.1% (84) accepted to take the vaccine the current week of the interview, 38.4% (318) would it the following week, and 27.4% (227) the following month, while 12.2% (101) of the respondents rejected the vaccine, Conclusion COVID-19 vaccine had a poor uptake and acceptance rate in Zamfara State during the vaccine rollout. We recommended carefully designed and targeted sensitization campaigns to increase the demand of COVID-19 vaccine in the community.