1. Introduction
In March 2020, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) [1], and by late June 2022, there were 540 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, with over 6.3 million deaths recorded [2].
The focus among countries and continents, certainly initially, was the introduction of public health policies to try and slow down the spread of the virus, with its subsequent impact on morbidity and mortality, in the absence of proven treatments and vaccines to treat COVID-19 [3,4]. These policies included lockdown measures incorporating the closure of educational establishments and borders, promoting hand hygiene, social distancing and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as quarantining measures [5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. However, there was variable implementation and adherence to the recommended preventative measures across countries, which adversely affected the subsequent prevalence and mortality rates [14,15,16,17,18].
Several re-purposed medicines were proposed for the prevention and management of patients with COVID-19 in the absence of effective vaccines. These included hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, ivermectin, remdesivir, and steroids [19,20,21,22,23,24], with their endorsement resulting in appreciably increased utilisation, especially hydroxychloroquine, fuelled by social media and other activities [16,20,25,26,27,28]. This surge was despite limited evidence regarding their effectiveness, apart from dexamethasone, initially and in subsequent studies, with their overuse increasing morbidity, mortality, and costs [16,26,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37]. These concerns resulted in calls across countries to enhance the evidence base of treatments before they were routinely recommended, thereby minimising the potential for misinformation [28,38,39,40,41].
Alongside this, the unintended consequences of lockdown and social distancing measures, including limited access to healthcare services, were considerable, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including African countries [13,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53]. The unintended consequences also included increased morbidity and mortality from reduced routine vaccinations among children in Africa [54,55,56,57].
Consequently, there was an appreciable need for effective vaccines to limit the spread of the virus. Numerous published studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing the impact of COVID-19 across countries, including reducing mortality, especially for patients at risk of severe disease [58,59,60,61]. These effectiveness rates resulted in a generally high acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines when available across countries [62], with booster campaigns introduced to tackle new variants and the waning of vaccine effectiveness over time [60,63,64]. However, there have been concerns with the vaccines across countries increasing hesitancy [65].
High acceptance rates (up to 88.8% acceptance with a 95% effectiveness rate) for COVID-19 vaccines were seen in a study by Bono et al., (2021) involving LMICs, including five African countries [66], although they were lower (61%) in the pooled study of Norhayati et al., (2022) [67]. Kanyanda et al., (2021) also generally identified high acceptance rates for the vaccine across sub-Saharan Africa, although they were lower in Mali (64.5%) [68]. Norhayati et al., (2022) also showed an acceptance rate of only 53% among the 15 African countries in their systematic review [67]. However, high acceptance rates were seen among the public in Nigeria, ranging from 74.5% to 85.3% of those surveyed [69,70,71], although they were lower in the study by Tobin et al., (2021) at 50.2% [72]. The major reasons for the non-acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria included concerns with the robustness of the published clinical trials, including the length of the follow-up when first rolled-out and the age of the included patients in the trials [69,71].
However, as with the increasing administration of COVID-19 vaccines, concerns regarding some of the rare adverse effects of the vaccines have contributed to vaccine hesitancy [73,74,75,76,77], with vaccine hesitancy defined as ‘a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination, despite the availability of vaccination services’ [78,79]. These concerns have resulted in increased hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccines across countries, including African countries [65,80,81,82,83]. Across Africa, studies have documented that between 32–37% of adults would not accept the vaccine, with hesitancy rates influenced by age, education, source of information, income and/or employment status, and the potential for increased infection [84,85,86,87]. Variable acceptance rates were also seen among African countries in the study of Sallam et al., (2022) [80], with variable hesitancy between 21% to 84.6% of those surveyed also seen in Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia [82,86,88,89,90,91,92]. Whilst there have been challenges with vaccine hesitancy in Zimbabwe when COVID-19 vaccines were first made available, this was reduced with national and local community engagement programmes [93].
In Tanzania, the Health Minister in early 2021 stated that the country would not partake in vaccination campaigns as they were not satisfied with the safety of the vaccines, relying on traditional and household herbs and medicines for prevention and treatment [94]. Whilst this situation changed later in the year, appreciable hesitancy remained [95]. Alongside this, there have also been concerns with hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCWs), including healthcare professionals (HCPs), and students across Africa [96,97,98].
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is a key issue to address, with vaccine hesitancy already in 2019 identified by the WHO as one of the top ten global threats to public health [99,100]. Overall, a considerable number of deaths could have been averted if target vaccination rates had been achieved, especially among low- and middle-income countries, including African countries [101]. As mentioned, key attributes among those hesitant to COVID-19 vaccines include age, level of education, income and/ or employment status, and locality [84,86,87,102,103,104,105]. Religious beliefs and political issues are also key areas influencing hesitancy across Africa [106]. Identifying key reasons regarding vaccine hesitancy is important among African countries given the documented effectiveness of the vaccines, their high rates of infectious diseases, as well as high rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) exacerbated by excessive use of antibiotics to treat patients with COVID-19 [93,107,108,109,110,111,112,113].
Identified concerns to address include confidence surrounding the vaccines, including their effectiveness and potential safety issues, as well as addressing complacency issues incorporating beliefs of a low risk of catching COVID-19 and a low disease severity if COVID-19 is caught [65,114,115,116,117,118]. Enhancing access (convenience) and instigating robust communication programmes adjusted to the socio-demographics of the target population (context) are also important to address misinformation and disinformation promulgated via social media [103,114,119,120]. Addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is also important for the acceptance of other vaccines, as well as helping to address high AMR rates across Africa [111,121,122].
Other important challenges affecting the availability and use of COVID-19 vaccines include the availability of supplies and trained HCWs, including HCPs, to administer the vaccines once available [123].
Consequently, there is a need to build on these studies. This includes documenting key issues regarding COVID-19 vaccines across Africa, including their acceptance and challenges. Subsequently, documenting key activities that can be undertaken by governments and HCPs to address hesitancy to improve future vaccination rates for this and future pandemics.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design
A mixed methods approach was adopted. This is similar to other Pan-African projects undertaken by the co-authors to document and debate key issues surrounding both non-infectious diseases and infectious diseases, as well as general areas, to provide future guidance [10,15,26,124,125,126,127,128,129,130]. The first stage comprised a narrative review of the literature regarding the effectiveness and safety of current vaccines for COVID-19, along with acceptance rates and hesitancy across Africa and the reasons for this. As mentioned, hesitancy was defined as ‘a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination, despite the availability of vaccination services’ [78,79,131]. The principal objective was to derive key discussion points for the second stage of the research. This was not a systematic review since the principal aim of this paper was to document the current situation regarding the vaccines, including vaccine hesitancy and the challenges among sub-Saharan African countries to provide future direction. The literature review was largely based on the considerable knowledge of the senior-level co-authors. This included individual country studies documenting current vaccination and hesitancy rates known to the co-authors from each country, as well as Pan-African and Global studies discussing similar issues. We adopted this approach before when discussing key activities and their future implications across countries and continents including Africa, with the deliberations based on the considerable knowledge and experience of the senior-level co-authors [125,126,127,128,129,130,132,133].
The second part of the study comprised an explorative questionnaire survey among senior-level government, HCP, and academic personnel from a range of African countries. The countries were purposefully selected based on the availability and knowledge of the senior-level co-authors to address the key issues and objectives of the paper. An analytical framework approach was used alongside a pragmatic paradigm aimed at providing future guidance, including for future pandemics [134,135,136,137]. The participating countries (Table 1) provided a range of economic status (Gross Domestic Product (GDP)/capita) [138], population size [139], and geographies, as well as current infection and mortality rates [2], to meet study objectives. We are aware though that there can be concerns with reporting mortality rates, including definitions [140,141,142].
2.2. Questionnaire Design and Analysis
The key questions posed to participating countries following a narrative review of the literature included the following:
Did your country have a dedicated COVID-19 vaccine rollout programme? Was this in the public sector, private sector, or both, and were any specific age groups covered?
Which COVID-19 vaccines were made available and how were the costs covered for each (e.g., NGOs)?
What is the current coverage rate (different doses if known)?
What is being done to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines, and how would you describe the acceptance (willingness) of the population to COVID-19 vaccinations?
What is the extent of any misinformation about the vaccine (if known), and how is misinformation being spread (e.g., social media)?
What are the challenges with COVID-19 vaccinations in addition to the above, and what are potential ways forward or measures being undertaken by national authorities and other key stakeholders to mitigate against these challenges?
Within each country, the co-authors collated the replies, which were subsequently reviewed and collated by the principal author (OO). The findings were then fed back to each country for clarification to enhance their accuracy. A common basis was used to compare vaccine findings across countries, building on country-specific information [143,144,145]. The final responses were subsequently analysed using thematic analysis techniques [10,146].
Common themes from the responses were identified and discussed with the co-authors to provide future guidance [10]. The findings were subsequently summarised into key themes and challenges faced by participating countries. Potential ways forward were broken down into the four Es where pertinent, namely ‘Education, Engineering, Economics and Enforcement’ [147,148], in order to consolidate approaches. We have used this methodology before when consolidating potential approaches and activities across disease areas to improve the use of medicine [124,127,149,150]. ‘Education’ includes disseminating information to key stakeholder groups and developing guidelines or formularies [151,152,153,154]. ‘Engineering’ includes organisational or managerial interventions such as instigating and monitoring prescribing targets and quality targets [148,150]. ‘Economics’ include financial incentives to key stakeholder groups and ‘Enforcement’ includes regulations by law including the banning of self-purchasing of antibiotics without a prescription [148,155,156].
Two timescales were employed to assess changes over time as more knowledge became available regarding the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines including boosters. These were up to the end of December 2021 and up to the end of June 2022.
2.3. Ethical Considerations
No ethical approval was sought for this study as no human subjects were involved. In addition, the co-authors, who were very knowledgeable in their country concerning these matters, voluntarily provided the information, which are typically available in the public domain. This mirrors similar studies conducted by the co-authors across Africa and wider, involving general subjects as well as both infectious and non-infectious diseases, and is in accordance with institutional guidance [10,15,26,124,125,126,127,129,157,158].
3. Results
We will first document the initial sources of COVID-19 vaccines across Africa before discussing initial and subsequent coverage rates as well as key issues surrounding access, hesitancy and challenges.
3.1. Vaccine Sources and Deployment
Vaccine roll-out commenced in a number of African countries in the first quarter of 2021, with Egypt the first African country among those studied to commence vaccination on 24 January 2021, followed by South Africa on 17 February 2021 and Zimbabwe on 18 February 2021. Other countries studied, apart from Tanzania, introduced their COVID-19 vaccines between March and April 2021 [94]. Most of the countries had dedicated vaccine roll-out programmes involving both the public and private sectors (Supplementary Table S1).
The sources of vaccines among the countries were typically from donations by multilateral agencies, non-governmental organisations, and higher income economies, including the UK and USA, with some countries, including South Africa, entering into bilateral agreements (Supplementary Table S1). Agencies and other organisations included the COVAX-WHO initiative, the African Union Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Serum Institute of India. COVAX is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and the WHO, alongside a key delivery partner, UNICEF [159]. Typically, vaccines from multiple sources were administered across Africa (Supplementary Table S1).
3.2. Vaccination Coverage
As of 31 December 2021, vaccination coverage in the studied countries varied from very low rates in Tanzania and Nigeria, with higher rates reported in Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, and South Africa (Table 2 and Table 3). Most of the studied African countries deployed vaccination programmes in phases, prioritising HCWs, followed by elderly patients and patients with co-morbidities at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease, hospitalisation, or death should they be infected with SARS-CoV-2 (Supplementary Table S2). A number of these countries also commenced the vaccination of children of certain age groups and began administering booster doses to the adult population by the end of December 2021 (Supplementary Table S2).
The most widely administered vaccines by the end of June 2022 across Afria were Johnson & Johnson (30.3% of the total number administered), Pfizer BioNtech (19.1%), Sinopharm (14.2%), Oxford AstraZeneca (13.7%), Sinovac (7.9%), and Moderna (5.5%) [143].
By the end of June 2022, COVID-19 vaccination coverage had increased across Africa, with an overall 18.4% full vaccination coverage, up from 8.9% at the end of December 2021. This was considerably lower though than the global rate of 60.7%, up from 49.2% in December 2021. However, again, appreciable variation was observed across the various countries (Table 2 and Table 3), with the greatest increases seen in Uganda (20.4%), Botswana (18.5%), Zambia (17.9%), and Ghana (14.8%) and with varied increase in coverage seen in the other studied countries (Table 2). Figure 1 depicts the overall increase in the administration of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of June 2022. The lowest coverage rate among the studied countries was recorded in Cameroon, with only 4.5% of the population being fully vaccinated by mid-2022.
3.3. Access, Hesitancy, and Challenges with the COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-Out
Table 4 summarises the levels of access, acceptance, hesitancy, and challenges with the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out across Africa, which builds on Pan-African and other African studies [66,67,68,69,70,71,72,80,81,82,83,84,85,86]. Access was generally well facilitated by the different measures and initiatives among the various African governments; however, there were concerns in some African countries, including the variable availability of the different vaccines.
There were also concerns with the level of acceptance for the vaccine among a number of the studied countries, with subsequent high rates of vaccine hesitancy in some of these. In Cameroon, poor acceptance levels were observed, and Egypt and Eswatini initially presented with low levels of acceptance; however, there were considerable improvements over time.
Misinformation concerning the side-effects of the vaccine coupled with other key issues, including fertility and other conspiracy theories, were widely circulated on social media platforms. This resulted in issues of trust and high hesitancy rates among some of the studied countries. Addressing these and other highlighted challenges will be key to improving vaccination rates in Africa going forward.
3.4. Lessons Learnt and Ways Forward
A considerable number of lessons learned and ways forward to improve future vaccination rates were identified across countries. These are summarised in Table 5 and include increasing trust in governments and other key stakeholder groups, including HCPs, which has been eroded with increasing vaccine hesitancy rates [199]. This involves reducing doubts about the vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, among HCWs including HCPs [175,199,200,201], through social media and other channels, with social media playing an increasing role in promulgating misinformation [120,202]. Trusted politicians endorsing COVID-19 vaccines can also reduce hesitancy [203].
4. Discussion
We believe this is the first study to comprehensively review current African vaccination and hesitancy rates alongside current challenges, as well as propose potential ways forward given current concerns. This is particularly important in Africa with high existing rates of infectious diseases as well as high rates of AMR [111,121,130]. The overuse of antibiotics in treating patients with COVID-19 has further enhanced AMR rates, which urgently need to be addressed to reduce future morbidity, mortality, and costs [112,113,124,227]. The majority of African countries started their roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021, in many cases with vaccines donated as part of COVAX, GAVI, AVAT, or bilateral agreements for specific countries (Supplementary Table S1). Tanzania was the last of the African countries to initiate its vaccine roll-out due to denial initially [94]. However, some of the COVID-19 vaccines donated were near their expiration date, creating additional challenges.
There was appreciable growth in vaccination rates in a number of the African countries surveyed between the end of 2021 and mid-2022, enhanced by greater availability and access, with Uganda, Botswana, and Zambia recording the greatest increase in vaccination coverage rates (Table 2, Figure 1). However, coverage rates continued to remain relatively low in some of the African countries surveyed, including Cameroon, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania (Table 1), exacerbated by high hesitancy rates fuelled by misinformation (Table 4). These low rates impacted the global coverage rate of 60.7% in mid-year of 2022, which is below the target of 70% set by the WHO [228]. Botswana and Egypt continued to have high coverage rates among the African countries surveyed, enhanced by pro-active activities by regional and national governments (Table 2 and Table 4). The multi-faceted activities they undertook provide guidance to other African countries, including measures used to ensure availability among the general population.
There are still concerns with low vaccination rates of children in a number of the surveyed countries, with only 7% of doses administered among 23 African countries by the end of June 2022 to children and adolescents younger than 18 years of age [229]. This low vaccination rate may have been exacerbated by supply challenges as well as concerns about the safety of the vaccines among children. We will be following this up in future studies, as concerns with vaccinating children with the COVID-19 vaccines may negatively impact routine immunisation programmes among children, which were already severely compromised by the pandemic [54,55,230].
Hesitancy continued to be a concern across Africa. This is fuelled by the level of misinformation including false claims about its side-effects, the disease mainly targeting rich urban populations, it being the disease of the west, it likely to be only a mild disease among Africans, it interfering with fertility, and the ‘mark of the beast’, exacerbated by social media activities [120,215] (Table 4).
Several activities were identified to improve vaccination rates during the current and future pandemics (Table 5). These include the greater involvement of African countries in basic research and clinical research, epidemiology, as well as improving current pharmacovigilance activities, which are a concern across Africa [205,206,231]. In addition, these include improving the education of HCPs during undergraduate training and post-qualification using a variety of hybrid approaches, with hybrid learning here to stay post-pandemic [10]. Community pharmacists can also play a key role in improving vaccination rates. This is because they are often the first point of contact between patients and HCPs, particularly in rural areas and where there are high patient co-payments [208,209,210]. Alongside this, governments should make the vaccines easily available to reduce travelling times and associated costs, which could negatively impact uptake. The government and key HCPs also need to actively engage in social media activities [120]. This is because misinformation can rapidly circulate via social media, with significant implications for trust in governments as well as the prevention and management of COVID-19 if this continues [20,120,175,215]. Compulsory vaccination of certain groups has been instigated in some countries to reduce transmission rates. However, before doing this, governments need to carefully consider legal, ethical, and other major issues [225,226].
We will continue to monitor key areas across Africa regarding current vaccination rates and challenges, including continued hesitancy. This will enable African countries to continue to learn from each other. As a result, the impact of the virus can be reduced, which includes the unintended consequences of measures that were initially implemented to contain the pandemic. In addition, the continued high inappropriate use of antibiotics across Africa needs to be reduced, building on current national action plans to reduce AMR [124,130].
5. Conclusions
It is widely acknowledged that the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines was a significant step forward across countries to reduce the morbidity, mortality, and costs associated with the virus. This includes the unintended consequences of public health measures instigated to reduce its spread and impact. There were appreciable variations in vaccine coverage and hesitancy across Africa. This was fuelled by critical issues, including access, irregular supply, and the level of misinformation circulating within communities and on various media platforms. Key among these included was misinformation fuelled by social media. A number of activities were identified to address this situation across Africa, which included instigating improved pharmacovigilance activities and addressing the negative impact of social media, which will be followed up in future studies.
Conception/design: O.O.O., B.G., J.O.F., S.M., E.T.T., A.A.J., S.M.C. and J.C.M. (Johanna C. Meyer); acquisition and analysis: O.O.O., B.G., J.O.F., S.M., A.O.A., A.F.Y.-O., S.O.O., M.R.O., M.S., W.M.R., A.M.G., N.M., T.Z., A.C.K., O.O.M., D.K., A.M., I.C., F.K., T.T., A.A., E.M., M.O, S.O., D.N.A.A., I.A.S., D.A., A.A.A., M.P.M., A.E., M.E.A., P.O., L.L.N., J.C.M. (Julius C. Mwita), G.M.R., J.K., C.E., R.T.M., I.M.-W. and J.C.M. (Johanna C. Meyer); interpretation of the data: O.O.O., B.G., J.O.F., S.M., A.O.A., A.F.Y.-O., S.O.O., M.R.O., M.S., W.M.R., A.M.G., N.M., T.Z., A.C.K., O.O.M., D.K., A.M., I.C., F.K., T.T., A.A., E.M., M.O., S.O., D.N.A.A., I.A.S., D.A., A.A.A., M.P.M., A.E., M.E.A., P.O., L.L.N., J.C.M. (Julius C. Mwita), G.M.R., J.K., C.E., R.T.M., I.M.-W., S.M.C. and J.C.M. (Johanna C. Meyer); drafting the work: O.O.O., B.G., J.O.F. and J.C.M. (Johanna C. Meyer); critically revising the paper: all authors; accuracy of the data appropriately collected and included in the analysis as well as resolving queries: O.O.O., B.G., J.O.F., S.M., A.O.A., A.F.Y.-O., S.O.O., M.R.O., M.S., W.M.R., A.M.G., N.M., T.Z., A.C.K., O.O.M., D.K., A.M., I.C., F.K., T.T., A.A., E.M., M.O., S.O., D.N.A.A., I.A.S., D.A., A.A.A., M.P.M., A.E., M.E.A., P.O., L.L.N., J.C.M. (Julius C. Mwita), G.M.R., J.K., C.E., R.T.M., I.M.-W., S.M.C. and J.C.M. (Johanna C. Meyer) Project management: O.O.O., B.G., J.O.F. and J.C.M. (Johanna C. Meyer). Final approval: all authors. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
No ethical approval was sought for this study as no human subjects were involved. In addition, the co-authors, who were very knowledgeable in their country concerning these matters, voluntarily provided the information, which is available in the public domain in some settings.
Additional data can be obtained on reasonable request from the corresponding author.
The authors declare no conflict of interest. However, a number of the co-authors are employed by National Health Services or Ministries of Health, or are advisers to Ministries of Health, the WHO or other leading Infectious Disease Groups.
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Figure 1. Changes in full vaccination coverage between December 2021 and June 2022. NB: DEC-21-F = fully vaccinated by protocol as of 31 December 2021, JUN-22-F = fully vaccinated by the protocol as of 30 June 2022. Based on [143,144,145,160].
Current population size, GDP/capita, and COVID-19 infection rates among participating African countries.
Country | Population Size (Thousands) | GDP/Capita (US$) | Accumulated Infection Rate (Thousands) | Accumulated Mortality Rate (Thousands) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Botswana | 2351.63 | 6711.0 | 325.5 | 2.77 |
Cameroon | 26,545.86 | 1499.4 | 121.0 | 1.93 |
Egypt | 102,260.0 | 4028.4 | 515.3 | 1.93 |
Eswatini | 1160.16 | 3415.5 | 73.3 | 1.42 |
Ghana | 31,072.94 | 2328.5 | 168.5 | 1.46 |
Kenya | 53,771.30 | 1838.2 | 338.1 | 5.67 |
Malawi | 19,129.95 | 625.3 | 87.7 | 2.67 |
Nigeria | 206,139.60 | 2097.1 | 263.1 | 3.15 |
South Africa | 59,308.69 | 5090.7 | 4010.2 | 102.1 |
Sudan | 48,892.81 | 595 | 63.2 | 4.96 |
Tanzania | 61,498.44 | 1136 | 38.7 | 0.84 |
Uganda | 47,123.53 | 858 | 168.7 | 3.63 |
Zambia | 18,383.96 | 1050.9 | 332.5 | 4.02 |
Zimbabwe | 14,862.92 | 1128.2 | 256.6 | 5.59 |
COVID-19 vaccination coverage across African countries as of 31 December 2021 and 30 June 2022.
Country | Vaccination Coverage—31 December 2021—% of the Total Population | Vaccination Coverage—30 June 2022—% of the Total Population | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Full (Completed) | Partial | Full (Completed) | Partial | |
Botswana | 39.9 | 5.2 | 58.4 | 7.1 |
Cameroon | 2.4 | 0.6 | 4.5 | 1.3 |
Egypt | 20.9 | 11.5 | 34.1 | 12.0 |
Eswatini | 25.4 | 2.7 | 28.7 | 5.7 |
Ghana | 7.1 | 10.5 | 21.9 | 9.9 |
Kenya | 6.8 | 4.4 | 17.6 | 6.3 |
Malawi | 3.5 | 3.96 | 7.63 | 3.05 |
Nigeria | 2.1 | 2.7 | 11.4 | 5.6 |
South Africa | 26.7 | 5.2 | 32.1 | 5.0 |
Sudan | 3.1 | 3.7 | 10.4 | NA |
Tanzania | 2.3 | 0.7 | 11.8 | 2.2 |
Uganda | 3.9 | 18.8 | 24.3 | 11.1 |
Zambia | 6.6 | NA | 24.5 | 35.0 |
Zimbabwe | 19.6 | 6.2 | 28.8 | 10.6 |
Africa | 8.9 | 4.9 | 18.4 | 5.2 |
World | 49.2 | 8.5 | 60.7 | 5.5 |
NB: Data sources—[
Number of vaccine doses utilised by the countries as of 31 December 2021 and 30 June 2022.
Countries | Doses as of 31 December 2021 | Doses as of 30 June 2022 |
---|---|---|
Botswana | NA | 2.73 million |
Cameroon | 1.02 million | 1.85 million |
Egypt | 57.49 million | 91.45 million |
Eswatini | 404,374 | 684,176 |
Ghana | 7.76 million | 18.24 million |
Kenya | 10.12 million | 18.54 million |
Malawi | 1.8 million | 3.17 million |
Nigeria | 14.84 million | 55.47 million |
South Africa | 27.97 million | 36.82 million |
Sudan | 3.64 million | NA |
Tanzania | 2.43 million | 12.07 million |
Uganda | 12.09 million | 21.76 million |
Zambia | 1.73 million | 7.2 million |
Zimbabwe | 7.26 million | 11.97 million |
Africa | 303.51 million | 550.21 million |
World | 9.18 billion | 12.1 billion |
NB: Data sources—[
Levels of access, acceptance, hesitancy, and challenges with COVID-19 vaccines across Africa.
Country | Access, Acceptance, Hesitancy and Challenges |
---|---|
Botswana [ |
Access:
|
Cameroon [ |
Access:
|
Egypt [ |
Access:
|
Eswatini [ |
Access:
|
Ghana [ |
Access:
|
Kenya [ |
Access:
|
Malawi [ |
Access:
|
Nigeria [ |
Access:
|
South Africa [ |
Access:
|
Sudan [ |
Access:
|
Tanzania | Access:
|
Uganda [ |
Access:
|
Zambia [ |
Access:
|
Zimbabwe [ |
Access:
|
NB: AEFI = adverse events following immunization; HCPs = healthcare professionals; HCW = healthcare workers; PHCs: Primary healthcare centres.
Key activities to improve vaccination rates in current and future pandemics.
Key Activities | Ways Forward |
---|---|
Research activities |
|
Education | |
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) |
|
Medical journalists and other key influencers |
|
General Public |
|
Communication strategies |
|
Engineering | |
Access and availability [ |
|
Economics | |
Patient Incentives |
|
Local production |
|
Financial support |
|
Enforcement | |
Compulsory vaccination [ |
|
Health system |
|
NB: HCPs = healthcare professionals.
Supplementary Materials
The following supporting information can be downloaded at:
References
1. Bedford, J.; Enria, D.; Giesecke, J.; Heymann, D.L.; Ihekweazu, C.; Kobinger, G.; Lane, H.C.; Memish, Z.; Oh, M.-D.; Sall, A.A. et al. COVID-19: Towards controlling of a pandemic. Lancet; 2020; 395, pp. 1015-1018. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30673-5]
2. World Health Organization. WHO COVID-19 Dashboard. 2021; Available online: https://covid19.who.int (accessed on 1 August 2022).
3. Hopman, J.; Allegranzi, B.; Mehtar, S. Managing COVID-19 in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. JAMA; 2020; 323, 1549. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.4169] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32176764]
4. Choi, A.J.; Hean, A.C.; Lee, J.K.; Tran, N.D.; Lin, T.K.; Apollonio, D.E. A Retrospective Global Assessment of Factors Associated With COVID-19 Policies and Health Outcomes. Front. Public Health; 2022; 10, 843445. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.843445] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35615034]
5. Nussbaumer-Streit, B.; Mayr, V.; Dobrescu, A.I.; Chapman, A.; Persad, E.; Klerings, I.; Wagner, G.; Siebert, U.; Ledinger, D.; Zachariah, C. et al. Quarantine alone or in combination with other public health measures to control COVID-19: A rapid review. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev.; 2020; 9, cd013574. [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33959956]
6. Tang, K.H.D. Movement control as an effective measure against COVID-19 spread in Malaysia: An overview. J. Public Health; 2022; 30, pp. 583-586. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10389-020-01316-w]
7. Ng, Y.; Li, Z.; Chua, Y.X.; Chaw, W.L.; Zhao, Z.; Er, B.; Pung, R.; Chiew, C.J.; Lye, D.; Heng, D. et al. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Surveillance and Containment Measures for the First 100 Patients with COVID-19 in Singapore—January 2–February 29, 2020. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep.; 2020; 69, pp. 307-311. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6911e1]
8. Keni, R.; Alexander, A.; Nayak, P.G.; Mudgal, J.; Nandakumar, K. COVID-19: Emergence, Spread, Possible Treatments, and Global Burden. Front. Public Health; 2020; 8, 216. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00216]
9. Talic, S.; Shah, S.; Wild, H.; Gasevic, D.; Maharaj, A.; Ademi, Z.; Li, X.; Xu, W.; Mesa-Eguiagaray, I.; Rostron, J. et al. Effectiveness of public health measures in reducing the incidence of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and COVID-19 mortality: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ; 2021; 375, e068302. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-068302]
10. Etando, A.; Amu, A.A.; Haque, M.; Schellack, N.; Kurdi, A.; Alrasheedy, A.A.; Timoney, A.; Mwita, J.C.; Rwegerera, G.M.; Patrick, O. et al. Challenges and Innovations Brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic Regarding Medical and Pharmacy Education Especially in Africa and Implications for the Future. Healthcare; 2021; 9, 1722. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9121722]
11. Shiraef, M.A.; Friesen, P.; Feddern, L.; Weiss, M.A. Did border closures slow SARS-CoV-2?. Sci. Rep.; 2022; 12, 1709. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05482-7]
12. Cheng, V.C.; Wong, S.C.; Chuang, V.W.; So, S.Y.; Chen, J.H.; Sridhar, S.; To, K.K.-W.; Chan, J.F.-W.; Hung, I.F.-N.; Ho, P.-L. et al. The role of community-wide wearing of face mask for control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic due to SARS-CoV-2. J. Infect.; 2020; 81, pp. 107-114. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2020.04.024] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32335167]
13. Congressional Research Services. Global Economic Effects of COVID-19—Updated 10 November 2021. Available online: https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/R46270.pdf (accessed on 2 August 2022).
14. Verma, B.K.; Verma, M.; Msc, V.K.V.; Abdullah, R.B.; Nath, D.C.; Khan, H.T.A.; Verma, A.; Vishwakarma, R.K.; Verma, V. Global lockdown: An effective safeguard in responding to the threat of COVID -19. J. Eval. Clin. Pract.; 2020; 26, pp. 1592-1598. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jep.13483] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32970386]
15. Ogunleye, O.O.; Basu, D.; Mueller, D.; Sneddon, J.; Seaton, R.A.; Yinka-Ogunleye, A.F.; Wamboga, J.; Miljković, N.; Mwita, J.C.; Rwegerera, G.M. et al. Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future. Front. Pharmacol.; 2020; 11, 1205. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.01205] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33071775]
16. Godman, B.; Haque, M.; Islam, S.; Iqbal, S.; Urmi, U.L.; Kamal, Z.M.; Shuvo, S.A.; Rahman, A.; Kamal, M.; Haque, M. et al. Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future. Front. Public Health; 2020; 8, 585832. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.585832]
17. Chan, D.K.C.; Zhang, C.-Q.; Weman-Josefsson, K. Why people failed to adhere to COVID-19 preventive behaviors? Perspectives from an integrated behavior change model. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.; 2020; 42, pp. 375-376. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/ice.2020.245]
18. Levin, A.T.; Owusu-Boaitey, N.; Pugh, S.; Fosdick, B.K.; Zwi, A.B.; Malani, A.; Soman, S.; Besançon, L.; Kashnitsky, I.; Ganesh, S. et al. Assessing the burden of COVID-19 in developing countries: Systematic review, meta-analysis and public policy implications. BMJ Glob. Health; 2022; 7, e008477. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-008477]
19. Pan, H.; Peto, R.; Henao-Restrepo, A.M.; Preziosi, M.P.; Sathiyamoorthy, V.; Abdool Karim, Q.; Alejandria, M.M.; García, C.H.; Kieny, M.; Malekzadeh, R. et al. Repurposed Antiviral Drugs for Covid-19—Interim WHO Solidarity Trial Results. N. Engl. J Med.; 2021; 384, pp. 497-511.
20. Schellack, N.; Strydom, M.; Pepper, M.S.; Herd, C.L.; Hendricks, C.L.; Bronkhorst, E.; Meyer, J.C.; Padayachee, N.; Bangalee, V.; Truter, I. et al. Social Media and COVID-19—Perceptions and Public Deceptions of Ivermectin, Colchicine and Hydroxychloroquine: Lessons for Future Pandemics. Antibiotics; 2022; 11, 445. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11040445]
21. Bryant, A.; Lawrie, T.A.; Dowswell, T.; Fordham, E.J.; Mitchell, S.; Hill, S.R.; Tham, T.C. Ivermectin for Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis to Inform Clinical Guidelines. Am. J. Ther.; 2021; 28, pp. e434-e460. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MJT.0000000000001402]
22. Uzunova, K.; Filipova, E.; Pavlova, V.; Vekov, T. Insights into antiviral mechanisms of remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir and chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine affecting the new SARS-CoV-2. Biomed. Pharmacother.; 2020; 131, 110668. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110668]
23. Abubakar, A.R.; Sani, I.H.; Godman, B.; Kumar, S.; Islam, S.; Jahan, I.; Haque, M. Systematic Review on the Therapeutic Options for COVID-19: Clinical Evidence of Drug Efficacy and Implications. Infect. Drug Resist.; 2020; 13, pp. 4673-4695. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S289037]
24. Medhi, B.; Sarma, P.; Bhattacharyya, A.; Kaur, H.; Prajapat, M.; Prakash, A.; Kumar, S.; Bansal, S.; Kirubakaran, R.; Reddy, D. et al. Efficacy and safety of steroid therapy in COVID-19: A rapid systematic review and Meta-analysis. Indian J. Pharmacol.; 2020; 52, pp. 535-550. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4103/ijp.ijp_1146_20] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33666200]
25. Sulis, G.; Batomen, B.; Kotwani, A.; Pai, M.; Gandra, S. Sales of antibiotics and hydroxychloroquine in India during the COVID-19 epidemic: An interrupted time series analysis. PLoS Med.; 2021; 18, e1003682. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003682] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34197449]
26. Sefah, I.A.; Ogunleye, O.O.; Essah, D.O.; Opanga, S.A.; Butt, N.; Wamaitha, A.; Guantai, A.N.; Chikowe, I.; Khuluza, F.; Kibuule, D. et al. Rapid Assessment of the Potential Paucity and Price Increases for Suggested Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 Across Developing Countries With a Particular Focus on Africa and the Implications. Front. Pharmacol.; 2021; 11, 588106. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.588106]
27. Charan, J.; Dutta, S.; Kaur, R.; Bhardwaj, P.; Ambwani, S.; Godman, B.; Jha, P.; Sukhija, S.; Venkatesh, S.; Lugova, H. et al. Demand of COVID-19 medicines without prescription among community pharmacies in Jodhpur, India: Findings and implications. J. Fam. Med. Prim. Care; 2022; 11, 503. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1250_21] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35360769]
28. Haque, M.; Gowere, M.; Nusrat, N.; Chowdhury, K.; Godman, B. The response to COVID 19 across countries and the implications for future pandemics. Bangladesh J. Med Sci.; 2021; 20, pp. 7-14. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v20i5.55417]
29. Manivannan, E.; Karthikeyan, C.; Moorthy, N.S.H.N.; Chaturvedi, S.C. The Rise and Fall of Chloroquine/Hydroxychloroquine as Compassionate Therapy of COVID-19. Front. Pharmacol.; 2021; 12, 584940. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.584940]
30. Charan, J.; Kaur, R.J.; Bhardwaj, P.; Haque, M.; Sharma, P.; Misra, S.; Godman, B. Rapid review of suspected adverse drug events due to remdesivir in the WHO database; findings and implications. Expert Rev. Clin. Pharmacol.; 2020; 14, pp. 95-103. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17512433.2021.1856655]
31. Abena, P.M.; Decloedt, E.H.; Bottieau, E.; Suleman, F.; Adejumo, P.; Sam-Agudu, N.A.; Muyembe TamFum, J.-J.; Seydi, M.; Eholie, S.P.; Mills, E.J. et al. Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for the Prevention or Treatment of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Africa: Caution for Inappropriate Off-label Use in Healthcare Settings. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg.; 2020; 102, pp. 1184-1188. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0290]
32. RECOVERY Collaborative Group Horby, P.; Lim, W.S.; Emberson, J.R.; Mafham, M.; Bell, J.L.; Linsell, L.; Staplin, N.; Brightling, C.; Ustianowski, A. et al. Dexamethasone in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19. N. Engl. J. Med.; 2021; 384, pp. 693-704. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17863/cam.57006]
33. RECOVERY Collaborative Group. Lopinavir-ritonavir in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): A randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial. Lancet; 2020; 396, pp. 1345-1352. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32013-4]
34. WHO. WHO Discontinues Hydroxychloroquine and Lopinavir/Ritonavir Treatment Arms for COVID-19. 2020; Available online: https://www.who.int/news/item/04-07-2020-who-discontinues-hydroxychloroquine-and-lopinavir-ritonavir-treatment-arms-for-covid-19 (accessed on 1 August 2022).
35. Dyer, O. COVID-19: Remdesivir Has Little or No Impact on Survival, WHO Trial Shows. BMJ; 2020; 371, m4057. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4057] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33077424]
36. Deng, J.; Zhou, F.; Ali, S.; Heybati, K.; Hou, W.; Huang, E.; Wong, C.Y. Correction to: Efficacy and safety of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. QJM Int. J. Med.; 2022; 114, pp. 721-734. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcab247] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34570241]
37. RECOVERY Collaborative Group Horby, P.; Mafham, M.; Linsell, L.; Bell, J.L.; Staplin, N.; Emberson, J.R.; Wiselka, M.; Ustianowski, A.; Elmahi, E. et al. Effect of Hydroxychloroquine in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19. N. Engl. J. Med.; 2020; 383, pp. 2030-2040. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2022926] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33031652]
38. CIOMS. Medicines Assessment during Public Health Emergencies Needs Good Science, Best Practices and Proper Communication. 2020; Available online: https://cioms.ch/es-template/medicines-assessment-during-public-health-emergencies-needs-good-science-best-practices-and-proper-communication/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
39. Grimes, D.R. Medical disinformation and the unviable nature of COVID-19 conspiracy theories. PLoS ONE; 2021; 16, e0245900. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245900] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33711025]
40. Neil, S.J.; Campbell, E.M. Fake Science: XMRV, COVID-19, and the Toxic Legacy of Dr. Judy Mikovits. AIDS Res. Hum. Retrovir.; 2020; 36, pp. 545-549. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1089/aid.2020.0095]
41. Carley, S.; Horner, D.; Body, R.; Mackway-Jones, K. Evidence-based medicine and COVID-19: What to believe and when to change. Emerg. Med. J.; 2020; 37, pp. 572-575. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2020-210098]
42. Kluge, H.H.P.; Wickramasinghe, K.; Rippin, H.L.; Mendes, R.; Peters, D.H.; Kontsevaya, A.; Breda, J. Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in the COVID-19 response. Lancet; 2020; 395, pp. 1678-1680. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31067-9]
43. Fatoye, F.; Gebrye, T.; Arije, O.; Fatoye, C.T.; Onigbinde, O.; Mbada, C. Economic Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on households. Pan Afr. Med. J.; 2021; 40, 225. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2021.40.225.27446]
44. Glied, S.; Levy, H. The Potential Effects of Coronavirus on National Health Expenditures. JAMA; 2020; 323, 2001. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.6644]
45. Richards, F.; Kodjamanova, P.; Chen, X.; Li, N.; Atanasov, P.; Bennetts, L.; Patterson, B.J.; Yektashenas, B.; Mesa-Frias, M.; Tronczynski, K. et al. Economic Burden of COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Clin. Outcomes Res.; 2022; 14, pp. 293-307. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CEOR.S338225] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35509962]
46. Buheji, M.; da Costa Cunha, K.; Beka, G.; Mavric, B.; De Souza, Y.L.; da Costa Silva, S.S.; Hanafi, M.; Yein, T.C. The Extent of COVID-19 Pandemic Socio-Economic Impact on Global Poverty. A Global Integrative Multidisciplinary Review. Am. J. Econ.; 2020; 10, pp. 213-224. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5923/j.economics.20201004.02]
47. Martin, A.; Markhvida, M.; Hallegatte, S.; Walsh, B. Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Household Consumption and Poverty. Econ. Disasters Clim. Chang.; 2020; 4, pp. 453-479. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s41885-020-00070-3] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32838120]
48. The Economist. What Is the Economic Cost of COVID-19?. 2021; Available online: https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2021/01/09/what-is-the-economic-cost-of-covid-19 (accessed on 1 August 2022).
49. Suthar, S.; Das, S.; Nagpure, A.; Madhurantakam, C.; Tiwari, S.B.; Gahlot, P.; Tyagi, V.K. Epidemiology and diagnosis, environmental resources quality and socio-economic perspectives for COVID-19 pandemic. J. Environ. Manag.; 2020; 280, 111700. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111700]
50. Riera, R.; Bagattini, M.; Pacheco, R.L.; Pachito, D.V.; Roitberg, F.; Ilbawi, A. Delays and Disruptions in Cancer Health Care Due to COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review. JCO Glob. Oncol.; 2021; 7, pp. 311-323. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1200/GO.20.00639]
51. Moraliyage, H.; De Silva, D.; Ranasinghe, W.; Adikari, A.; Alahakoon, D.; Prasad, R.; Lawrentschuk, N.; Bolton, D. Cancer in Lockdown: Impact of the COVID -19 Pandemic on Patients with Cancer. Oncologist; 2020; 26, pp. e342-e344. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/onco.13604]
52. Jiang, H.; Zhou, Y.; Tang, W. Maintaining HIV care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet HIV; 2020; 7, pp. e308-e309. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(20)30105-3]
53. Ataguba, J.E. COVID-19 Pandemic, a War to be Won: Understanding its Economic Implications for Africa. Appl. Health Econ. Health Policy; 2020; 18, pp. 325-328. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40258-020-00580-x]
54. Abbas, K.; Procter, S.R.; van Zandvoort, K.; Clark, A.; Funk, S.; Mengistu, T.; Hogan, D.; Dansereau, E.; Jit, M.; Flasche, S. et al. Routine childhood immunisation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: A benefit-risk analysis of health benefits versus excess risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lancet Glob. Health; 2020; 8, pp. e1264-e1272. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30308-9]
55. Causey, K.; Fullman, N.; Sorensen, R.J.D.; Galles, N.C.; Zheng, P.; Aravkin, A.; Danovaro-Holliday, M.C.; Martinez-Piedra, R.; Sodha, S.V.; Velandia-González, M.P. et al. Estimating global and regional disruptions to routine childhood vaccine coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020: A modelling study. Lancet; 2021; 398, pp. 522-534. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01337-4]
56. Shet, A.; Carr, K.; Danovaro-Holliday, M.C.; Sodha, S.V.; Prosperi, C.; Wunderlich, J.; Wonodi, C.; Reynolds, H.W.; Mirza, I.; Gacic-Dobo, M. et al. Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on routine immunisation services: Evidence of disruption and recovery from 170 countries and territories. Lancet Glob. Health; 2022; 10, pp. e186-e194. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00512-X]
57. Evans, B.; Jombart, T. Worldwide routine immunisation coverage regressed during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine; 2022; 40, pp. 3531-3535. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.01.044] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35177301]
58. Mohammed, I.; Nauman, A.; Paul, P.; Ganesan, S.; Chen, K.-H.; Jalil, S.M.S.; Jaouni, S.H.; Kawas, H.; Khan, W.A.; Vattoth, A.L. et al. The efficacy and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines in reducing infection, severity, hospitalization, and mortality: A systematic review. Hum. Vaccines Immunother.; 2022; 18, 2027160. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2022.2027160] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35113777]
59. Wang, K.; Wang, L.; Li, M.; Xie, B.; He, L.; Wang, M.; Zhang, R.; Hou, N.; Zhang, Y.; Jia, F. Real-Word Effectiveness of Global COVID-19 Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front. Med.; 2022; 9, 820544. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.820544]
60. Feikin, D.R.; Higdon, M.M.; Abu-Raddad, L.J.; Andrews, N.; Araos, R.; Goldberg, Y.; Groome, M.J.; Huppert, A.; O’Brien, K.L.; Smith, P.G. Duration of effectiveness of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease: Results of a systematic review and meta-regression. Lancet; 2022; 399, pp. 924-944. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00152-0]
61. Korang, S.K.; von Rohden, E.; Veroniki, A.A.; Ong, G.; Ngalamika, O.; Siddiqui, F.; Juul, S.; Nielsen, E.E.; Feinberg, J.B.; Petersen, J.J. et al. Vaccines to prevent COVID-19: A living systematic review with Trial Sequential Analysis and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. PLoS ONE; 2022; 17, e0260733. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260733]
62. Sallam, M. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Worldwide: A Concise Systematic Review of Vaccine Acceptance Rates. Vaccines; 2021; 9, 160. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020160]
63. Zeng, B.; Gao, L.; Zhou, Q.; Yu, K.; Sun, F. Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med.; 2022; 20, 200. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12916-022-02397-y]
64. Chenchula, S.; Karunakaran, P.; Sharma, S.; Chavan, M. Current evidence on efficacy of COVID-19 booster dose vaccination against the Omicron variant: A systematic review. J. Med. Virol.; 2022; 94, pp. 2969-2976. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmv.27697]
65. Fajar, J.K.; Sallam, M.; Soegiarto, G.; Sugiri, Y.J.; Anshory, M.; Wulandari, L.; Kosasih, S.A.P.; Ilmawan, M.; Kusnaeni, K.; Fikri, M. et al. Global Prevalence and Potential Influencing Factors of COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy: A Meta-Analysis. Vaccines; 2022; 10, 1356. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081356]
66. Bono, S.A.; Faria de Moura Villela, E.; Siau, C.S.; Chen, W.S.; Pengpid, S.; Hasan, M.T.; Sessou, P.; Ditekemena, J.D.; Amodan, B.O.; Hosseinipour, M.C. et al. Factors Affecting COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: An International Survey among Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Vaccines; 2021; 9, 515. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9050515] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34067682]
67. Norhayati, M.N.; Yusof, R.C.; Azman, Y.M. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance. Front. Med.; 2022; 8, 783982. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.783982] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35155467]
68. Kanyanda, S.; Markhof, Y.; Wollburg, P.; Zezza, A. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from six national phone surveys. BMJ Open; 2021; 11, e055159. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055159] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34911723]
69. Adebisi, Y.A.; Alaran, A.J.; Bolarinwa, O.A.; Akande-Sholabi, W.; Lucero-Prisno, D.E. When it is available, will we take it? Social media users’ perception of hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria. Pan Afr. Med. J.; 2021; 38, 230. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2021.38.230.27325] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34046135]
70. Adedeji-Adenola, H.; Olugbake, O.A.; Adeosun, S.A. Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among adults in Nigeria. PLoS ONE; 2022; 17, e0264371. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264371]
71. Oyekale, A.S. Factors Influencing Willingness to Be Vaccinated against COVID-19 in Nigeria. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health; 2022; 19, 6816. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116816]
72. Tobin, E.A.; Okonofua, M.; Adeke, A.; Obi, A. Willingness to Accept a COVID-19 Vaccine in Nigeria: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health; 2021; 7, 53. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20210702.12]
73. Al-Ali, D.; Elshafeey, A.; Mushannen, M.; Kawas, H.; Shafiq, A.; Mhaimeed, N.; Mhaimeed, O.; Mhaimeed, N.; Zeghlache, R.; Salameh, M. et al. Cardiovascular and haematological events post COVID-19 vaccination: A systematic review. J. Cell. Mol. Med.; 2021; 26, pp. 636-653. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.17137]
74. Hippisley-Cox, J.; Patone, M.; Mei, X.W.; Saatci, D.; Dixon, S.; Khunti, K.; Zaccardi, F.; Watkinson, P.; Shankar-Hari, M.; Doidge, J. et al. Risk of thrombocytopenia and thromboembolism after covid-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 positive testing: Self-controlled case series study. BMJ; 2021; 374, n1931. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1931]
75. Kouhpayeh, H.; Ansari, H. Adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. Immunopharmacol.; 2022; 109, 108906. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108906]
76. Lau, C.L.; Galea, I. Risk-benefit analysis of COVID-19 vaccines—A neurological perspective. Nat. Rev Neurol.; 2022; 18, pp. 69-70. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41582-021-00606-5] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34931027]
77. Tabong, P.T.; Opoku Mensah, K.; Asampong, E. Preparation for COVID-19 vaccines rollout: Interventions to increase trust, acceptability, and uptake in West African countries. Int. J. Health Plan. Manag.; 2022; 37, pp. 1221-1228. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3426]
78. MacDonald, N.E.; Eskola, J.; Liang, X.; Chaudhuri, M.; Dube, E.; Gellin, B.; Goldstein, S.; Larson, H.; Manzo, M.L.; Reingold, A. et al. Vaccine Hesitancy: Definition, Scope and Determinants. Vaccine; 2015; 33, pp. 4161-4164. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.04.036] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25896383]
79. Pires, C. Global Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A Systematic Review. Vaccines; 2022; 10, 1349. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081349] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36016237]
80. Sallam, M.; Al-Sanafi, M.; Sallam, M. A Global Map of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Rates per Country: An Updated Concise Narrative Review. J. Multidiscip. Healthc.; 2022; 15, pp. 21-45. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S347669] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35046661]
81. Leach, M.; MacGregor, H.; Akello, G.; Babawo, L.; Baluku, M.; Desclaux, A.; Grant, C.; Kamara, F.; Nyakoi, M.; Parker, M. et al. Vaccine anxieties, vaccine preparedness: Perspectives from Africa in a COVID-19 era. Soc. Sci. Med.; 2022; 298, 114826. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114826] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35228096]
82. Dinga, J.N.; Sinda, L.K.; Titanji, V.P.K. Assessment of Vaccine Hesitancy to a COVID-19 Vaccine in Cameroonian Adults and Its Global Implication. Vaccines; 2021; 9, 175. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020175] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33669659]
83. Faye, S.L.B.; Krumkamp, R.; Doumbia, S.; Tounkara, M.; Strauss, R.; Ouedraogo, H.G.; Sagna, T.; Barry, A.M.; Mbawah, A.K.; Doumbia, C.O. et al. Factors influencing hesitancy towards adult and child COVID-19 vaccines in rural and urban West Africa: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open; 2022; 12, e059138. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059138]
84. Ahiakpa, J.K.; Cosmas, N.T.; Anyiam, F.E.; Enalume, K.O.; Lawan, I.; Gabriel, I.B.; Oforka, C.L.; Dahir, H.G.; Fausat, S.T.; Nwobodo, M.A. et al. COVID-19 vaccines uptake: Public knowledge, awareness, perception and acceptance among adult Africans. PLoS ONE; 2022; 17, e0268230. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268230]
85. Anjorin, A.A.; Odetokun, I.A.; Abioye, A.I.; Elnadi, H.; Umoren, M.V.; Damaris, B.F.; Eyedo, J.; Umar, H.I.; Nyandwi, J.B.; Abdalla, M.M. et al. Will Africans take COVID-19 vaccination?. PLoS ONE; 2021; 16, e0260575. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260575]
86. Katoto, P.D.M.C.; Parker, S.; Coulson, N.; Pillay, N.; Cooper, S.; Jaca, A.; Mavundza, E.; Houston, G.; Groenewald, C.; Essack, Z. et al. Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in South African Local Communities: The VaxScenes Study. Vaccines; 2022; 10, 353. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10030353] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35334991]
87. Nindrea, R.D.; Usman, E.; Katar, Y.; Sari, N.P. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and correlated variables among global populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin. Epidemiol. Glob. Health; 2021; 12, 100899. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100899] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34746514]
88. Shah, J.; Abeid, A.; Sharma, K.; Manji, S.; Nambafu, J.; Korom, R.; Patel, K.; Said, M.; Mohamed, M.A.; Sood, M. et al. Perceptions and Knowledge towards COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among a Subpopulation of Adults in Kenya: An English Survey at Six Healthcare Facilities. Vaccines; 2022; 10, 705. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10050705]
89. Mudenda, S.; Hikaambo, C.N.; Daka, V.; Chileshe, M.; Mfune, R.L.; Kampamba, M.; Kasanga, M.; Phiri, M.; Mufwambi, W.; Banda, M. et al. Prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Zambia: A web-based cross-sectional study. Pan Afr. Med. J.; 2022; 41, 112. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2022.41.112.31219]
90. Cooper, S.; van Rooyen, H.; Wiysonge, C.S. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in South Africa: How can we maximize uptake of COVID-19 vaccines?. Expert Rev. Vaccines; 2021; 20, pp. 921-933. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14760584.2021.1949291] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34252336]
91. Mundagowa, P.T.; Tozivepi, S.N.; Chiyaka, E.T.; Mukora-Mutseyekwa, F.; Makurumidze, R. Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Zimbabweans: A rapid national survey. PLoS ONE; 2022; 17, e0266724. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266724] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35446850]
92. Acheampong, T.; Akorsikumah, E.; Osae-Kwapong, J.; Khalid, M.; Appiah, A.; Amuasi, J. Examining Vaccine Hesitancy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Survey of the Knowledge and Attitudes among Adults to Receive COVID-19 Vaccines in Ghana. Vaccines; 2021; 9, 814. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9080814]
93. Murewanhema, G.; Musuka, G.; Mukwenha, S.; Chingombe, I.; Mapingure, M.P.; Dzinamarira, T. Hesitancy, ignorance or uncertainty? The need for effective communication strategies as Zimbabwe’s uptake of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses remains poor. Public Health Pract.; 2022; 3, 100244. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100244]
94. Nyalile, T.; Loo, L. Situating COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Tanzania. 2021; Available online: http://somatosphere.net/2021/covid-19-vaccine-hesitancy-tanzania.html/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
95. Sippy, P. Is It Too Late to Fight Covid Skepticism and Vaccine Hesitancy in Tanzania?. 2021; Available online: https://qz.com/africa/2055780/covid-skepticism-and-vaccine-hesitancy-is-widespread-in-tanzania/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
96. Ackah, M.; Ameyaw, L.; Salifu, M.G.; Asubonteng, D.P.A.; Yeboah, C.O.; Annor, E.N.; Ankapong, E.A.K.; Boakye, H. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health care workers in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE; 2022; 17, e0268711. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268711]
97. Kanyike, A.M.; Olum, R.; Kajjimu, J.; Ojilong, D.; Akech, G.M.; Nassozi, D.R.; Agira, D.; Wamala, N.K.; Asiimwe, A.; Matovu, D. et al. Acceptance of the coronavirus disease-2019 vaccine among medical students in Uganda. Trop. Med. Health; 2021; 49, 37. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s41182-021-00331-1]
98. Kabamba Nzaji, M.; Kabamba Ngombe, L.; Ngoie Mwamba, G.; Banza Ndala, D.B.; Mbidi Miema, J.; Lungoyo, C.L.; Mwimba, B.L.; Bene, A.C.M.; Musenga, E.M. Acceptability of Vaccination Against COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pragmatic Obs. Res.; 2020; 11, pp. 103-109. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/POR.S271096] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33154695]
99. World Health Organization (WHO). Ten Threats to Global Health in 2019. 2019; Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019 (accessed on 15 February 2022).
100. Anakpo, G.; Mishi, S. Hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccines: Rapid systematic review of the measurement, predictors, and preventive strategies. Hum. Vaccines Immunother.; 2022; 18, 2074716. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2022.2074716] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35714274]
101. Watson, O.J.; Barnsley, G.; Toor, J.; Hogan, A.B.; Winskill, P.; Ghani, A.C. Global impact of the first year of COVID-19 vaccination: A mathematical modelling study. Lancet Infect. Dis.; 2022; 22, pp. P1293-P1302. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00320-6]
102. Kricorian, K.; Civen, R.; Equils, O. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: Misinformation and perceptions of vaccine safety. Hum. Vaccines Immunother.; 2021; 18, 1950504. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2021.1950504]
103. Razai, M.S.; Chaudhry, U.A.R.; Doerholt, K.; Bauld, L.; Majeed, A. Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy. BMJ; 2021; 373, n1138. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1138] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34016653]
104. Gerretsen, P.; Kim, J.; Caravaggio, F.; Quilty, L.; Sanches, M.; Wells, S.; Brown, E.E.; Agic, B.; Pollock, B.G.; Graff-Guerrero, A. Individual determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. PLoS ONE; 2021; 16, e0258462. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258462]
105. Litaker, J.R.; Tamez, N.; Bray, C.L.; Durkalski, W.; Taylor, R. Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Vaccine Hesitancy in Central Texas Immediately Prior to COVID-19 Vaccine Availability. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health; 2021; 19, 368. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010368]
106. Kabakama, S.; Konje, E.T.; Dinga, J.N.; Kishamawe, C.; Morhason-Bello, I.; Hayombe, P.; Adeyemi, O.; Chimuka, E.; Lumu, I.; Amuasi, J. et al. Commentary on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in sub-Saharan Africa. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis.; 2022; 7, 130. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed7070130]
107. Chan, N.N.; Ong, K.W.; Siau, C.S.; Lee, K.W.; Peh, S.C.; Yacob, S.; Chia, Y.C.; Seow, V.K.; Ooi, P.B. The lived experiences of a COVID-19 immunization programme: Vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal. BMC Public Health; 2022; 22, 296. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12632-z]
108. Afolabi, A.A.; Ilesanmi, O.S. Dealing with vaccine hesitancy in Africa: The prospective COVID-19 vaccine context. Pan Afr. Med. J.; 2021; 38, 3. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2021.38.3.27401]
109. Dzinamarira, T.; Nachipo, B.; Phiri, B.; Musuka, G. COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-Out in South Africa and Zimbabwe: Urgent Need to Address Community Preparedness, Fears and Hesitancy. Vaccines; 2021; 9, 250. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030250] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33809002]
110. Ekwebelem, O.C.; Yunusa, I.; Onyeaka, H.; Ekwebelem, N.C.; Nnorom-Dike, O. COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Will it affect the rates of vaccine hesitancy in Africa?. Public Health; 2021; 197, pp. e18-e19. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.01.010]
111. Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: A systematic analysis. Lancet; 2022; 399, pp. 629-655. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02724-0]
112. Alshaikh, F.S.; Godman, B.; Sindi, O.N.; Seaton, R.A.; Kurdi, A. Prevalence of bacterial coinfection and patterns of antibiotics prescribing in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE; 2022; 17, e0272375. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272375] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35913964]
113. Founou, R.C.; Blocker, A.J.; Noubom, M.; Tsayem, C.; Choukem, S.P.; Van Dongen, M.; Founou, L.L. The COVID-19 pandemic: A threat to antimicrobial resistance containment. Futur. Sci. OA; 2021; 7, FSO736. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2144/fsoa-2021-0012]
114. Razai, M.S.; Oakeshott, P.; Esmail, A.; Wiysonge, C.S.; Viswanath, K.; Mills, M.C. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: The five Cs to tackle behavioural and sociodemographic factors. J. R. Soc. Med.; 2021; 114, pp. 295-298. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/01410768211018951] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34077688]
115. Roy, D.N.; Biswas, M.; Islam, E.; Azam, S. Potential factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy: A systematic review. PLoS ONE; 2022; 17, e0265496. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265496]
116. Rutten, L.J.F.; Zhu, X.; Leppin, A.L.; Ridgeway, J.L.; Swift, M.D.; Griffin, J.M.; Sauver, J.L.S.; Virk, A.; Jacobson, R.M. Evidence-Based Strategies for Clinical Organizations to Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy. Mayo Clin. Proc.; 2021; 96, pp. 699-707. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.12.024] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33673921]
117. Trogen, B.; Pirofski, L.-A. Understanding vaccine hesitancy in COVID-19. Nat. Med.; 2021; 2, pp. 498-501. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.medj.2021.04.002]
118. Ekowo, O.E.; Manafa, C.; Isielu, R.C.; Okoli, C.M.; Chikodi, I.; Onwuasoanya, A.F.; Echendu, S.T.; Ihedoro, I.; Nwabueze, U.D.; Nwoke, O.C. A cross sectional regional study looking at the factors responsible for the low COVID-19 vaccination rate in Nigeria. Pan Afr. Med. J.; 2022; 41, 114. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2022.41.114.30767]
119. Wilson, S.L.; Wiysonge, C. Social media and vaccine hesitancy. BMJ Glob. Health; 2020; 5, e004206. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004206] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33097547]
120. Wawrzuta, D.; Klejdysz, J.; Jaworski, M.; Gotlib, J.; Panczyk, M. Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination on Social Media: A Cross-Platform Analysis. Vaccines; 2022; 10, 1190. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081190] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35893839]
121. Iwu, C.J.; Jordan, P.; Jaja, I.F.; Iwu, C.D.; Wiysonge, C.S. Treatment of COVID-19: Implications for antimicrobial resistance in Africa. Pan Afr. Med. J.; 2020; 35, (Suppl. 2), 119. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.35.2.23713] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33282074]
122. Troisi, M.; Andreano, E.; Sala, C.; Kabanova, A.; Rappuoli, R. Vaccines as remedy for antimicrobial resistance and emerging infections. Curr. Opin. Immunol.; 2020; 65, pp. 102-106. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.coi.2020.09.003]
123. Tagoe, E.T.; Sheikh, N.; Morton, A.; Nonvignon, J.; Sarker, A.R.; Williams, L.; Megiddo, I. COVID-19 Vaccination in Lower-Middle Income Countries: National Stakeholder Views on Challenges, Barriers, and Potential Solutions. Front. Public Health; 2021; 9, 709127. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.709127]
124. Godman, B.; Egwuenu, A.; Haque, M.; Malande, O.; Schellack, N.; Kumar, S.; Saleem, Z.; Sneddon, J.; Hoxha, I.; Islam, S. et al. Strategies to Improve Antimicrobial Utilization with a Special Focus on Developing Countries. Life; 2021; 11, 528. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/life11060528]
125. Godman, B.; Basu, D.; Pillay, Y.; Almeida, P.H.R.F.; Mwita, J.C.; Rwegerera, G.M.; Paramadhas, B.D.A.; Tiroyakgosi, C.; Patrick, O.; Niba, L.L. et al. Ongoing and planned activities to improve the management of patients with Type 1 diabetes across Africa; implications for the future. Hosp. Prac.; 2020; 48, pp. 51-67. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21548331.2020.1745509]
126. Godman, B.; Basu, D.; Pillay, Y.; Mwita, J.C.; Rwegerera, G.M.; Paramadhas, B.D.A.; Tiroyakgosi, C.; Okwen, P.M.; Niba, L.L.; Nonvignon, J. et al. Review of Ongoing Activities and Challenges to Improve the Care of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Across Africa and the Implications for the Future. Front. Pharmacol.; 2020; 11, 108. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00108]
127. Mwita, J.C.; Ogunleye, O.O.; Olalekan, A.; Kalungia, A.C.; Kurdi, A.; Saleem, Z.; Sneddon, J.; Godman, B. Key Issues Surrounding Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Prevention of Surgical Site Infections in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review and the Implications. Int. J. Gen. Med.; 2021; 14, pp. 515-530. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S253216]
128. Godman, B.; Leong, T.; Abubakar, A.R.; Kurdi, A.; Kalemeera, F.; Rwegerera, G.M.; Patrick, O.; Lum Niba, L.; Ibrahim, K.; Adefolarin, A.A. et al. Availability and Use of Long-Acting Insulin Analogues Including Their Biosimilars across Africa: Findings and Implications. Intern. Med.; 2021; 11, 343.
129. Godman, B.; Grobler, C.; Van-De-Lisle, M.; Wale, J.; Barbosa, W.B.; Massele, A.; Opondo, P.; Petrova, G.; Tachkov, K.; Sefah, I. et al. Pharmacotherapeutic interventions for bipolar disorder type II: Addressing multiple symptoms and approaches with a particular emphasis on strategies in lower and middle-income countries. Expert Opin. Pharmacother.; 2019; 20, pp. 2237-2255. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2019.1684473] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31762343]
130. Godman, B.; Egwuenu, A.; Wesangula, E.; Schellack, N.; Kalungia, A.C.; Tiroyakgosi, C.; Kgatlwane, J.; Mwita, J.C.; Patrick, O.; Niba, L.L. et al. Tackling antimicrobial resistance across sub-Saharan Africa; current challenges and implications for the future. Expert Opin. Drug Saf.; 2022; 21, pp. 1089-1111. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14740338.2022.2106368]
131. Mudenda, S.; Mukosha, M.; Hikaambo, C.N.; Meyer, J.C.; Fadare, J.; Kampamba, M.; Kalungia, A.C.; Munsaka, S.; Okoro, R.; Daka, V. et al. Awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among pharmacy students in Zambia. Malawi Med. J.; 2022; 34, pp. 236-243.
132. Godman, B.; Hill, A.; Simoens, S.; Selke, G.; Selke Krulichová, I.; Zampirolli Dias, C.; Martin, A.P.; Oortwijn, W.; Timoney, A.; Gustafsson, L.L. et al. Potential approaches for the pricing of cancer medicines across Europe to enhance the sustainability of healthcare systems and the implications. Expert Rev. Pharmacoecon. Outcomes Res.; 2021; 21, pp. 527-540. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14737167.2021.1884546] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33535841]
133. Godman, B.; Haque, M.; McKimm, J.; Abu Bakar, M.; Sneddon, J.; Wale, J.; Campbell, S.; Martin, A.P.; Hoxha, I.; Abilova, V. et al. Ongoing strategies to improve the management of upper respiratory tract infections and reduce inappropriate antibiotic use particularly among lower and middle-income countries: Findings and implications for the future. Curr. Med. Res. Opin.; 2019; 36, pp. 301-327. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2019.1700947] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31794332]
134. Gale, N.K.; Heath, G.; Cameron, E.; Rashid, S.; Redwood, S. Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research. BMC Med. Res. Methodol.; 2013; 13, 117. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-13-117]
135. Allemang, B.; Sitter, K.; Dimitropoulos, G. Pragmatism as a paradigm for patient-oriented research. Health Expect.; 2021; 25, pp. 38-47. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hex.13384]
136. Kaushik, V.; Walsh, C.A. Pragmatism as a Research Paradigm and Its Implications for Social Work Research. Soc. Sci.; 2019; 8, 255. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/socsci8090255]
137. Palinkas, L.A.; Horwitz, S.M.; Green, C.A.; Wisdom, J.P.; Duan, N.; Hoagwood, K. Purposeful Sampling for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis in Mixed Method Implementation Research. Adm. Policy Ment. Health Ment. Health Serv. Res.; 2015; 42, pp. 533-544. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y]
138. World Bank. World Bank National Accounts Data—GDP Per Capita (Current US$). Available online: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD (accessed on 11 September 2020).
139. Worldometer. African Countries by Population. 2021; Available online: https://www.worldometers.info/population/countries-in-africa-by-population/ (accessed on 7 September 2022).
140. The Economist. How We Estimated the True Death Toll of the Pandemic—Dealing with Potential Outcomes, Known Unknowns, and Uncertainty. 2021; Available online: https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/05/13/how-we-estimated-the-true-death-toll-of-the-pandemic (accessed on 7 September 2022).
141. Cox, L.; Yah, C. Estimating actual COVID-19 case numbers using cumulative death count-A method of measuring effectiveness of lockdown of non-essential activities: A South African case study. Pan Afr. Med. J.; 2020; 35, (Suppl. 2), 97. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.35.2.24612]
142. Bradshaw, D.; Dorrington, R.E.; Laubscher, R.; Moultrie, T.A.; Groenewald, P. Tracking mortality in near to real time provides essential information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa in 2020. S. Afr. Med J.; 2021; 111, 732. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i8.15809] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35227353]
143. WHO. COVID-19 Vaccination in the WHO African Region. Monthly Bulletin June 2022. Available online: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/359928/CV-20220714-eng.pdf (accessed on 7 September 2022).
144. Ritchie, H.E.; Mathieu, L.; Rodés-Guirao, C.; Appel, C.; Giattino, E.; Ortiz-Ospina, J.; Hasell, B.; Macdonald, D.; Roser, B.A.M. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations. 2020; Available online: https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations (accessed on 28 December 2021).
145. Mathieu, E.; Ritchie, H.; Ortiz-Ospina, E.; Roser, M.; Hasell, J.; Appel, C.; Giattino, C.; Rodés-Guirao, L. A global database of COVID-19 vaccinations. Nat. Hum. Behav.; 2021; 5, pp. 947-953. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01122-8] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33972767]
146. Rolfe, R.; Kwobah, C.; Muro, F.; Ruwanpathirana, A.; Lyamuya, F.; Bodinayake, C.; Nagahawatte, A.; Piyasiri, B.; Sheng, T.; Bollinger, J. et al. Barriers to implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in three low- and middle-income country tertiary care settings: Findings from a multi-site qualitative study. Antimicrob. Resist. Infect. Control; 2021; 10, 60. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13756-021-00929-4] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33766135]
147. Wettermark, B.; Godman, B.; Jacobsson, B.; Haaijer-Ruskamp, F.M. Soft regulations in pharmaceutical policy making: An overview of current approaches and their consequences. Appl. Health Econ. Health Policy; 2009; 7, pp. 137-147.
148. Godman, B. Health authority activities to enhance the quality and efficiency of medicine use and their impact. Adv. Hum. Biol.; 2021; 11, 11. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2321-8568.308858]
149. Moon, J.; Godman, B.; Petzold, M.; Alvarez-Madrazo, S.; Bennett, K.; Bishop, I.; Bucsics, A.; Hesse, U.; Martin, A.; Simoens, S. et al. Different initiatives across Europe to enhance losartan utilization post generics: Impact and implications. Front. Pharmacol.; 2014; 5, 219. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2014.00219]
150. Godman, B.; Wettermark, B.; Van Woerkom, M.; Fraeyman, J.; Alvarez-Madrazo, S.; Berg, C.; Bishop, I.; Bucsics, A.; Campbell, S.; Finlayson, A.E. et al. Multiple policies to enhance prescribing efficiency for established medicines in Europe with a particular focus on demand-side measures: Findings and future implications. Front. Pharmacol.; 2014; 5, 106. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2014.00106]
151. Godman, B.; Malmström, R.E.; Diogene, E.; Gray, A.; Jayathissa, S.; Timoney, A.; Acurcio, F.; Alkan, A.; Brzezinska, A.; Bucsics, A. et al. Are new models needed to optimize the utilization of new medicines to sustain healthcare systems?. Expert Rev. Clin. Pharmacol.; 2015; 8, pp. 77-94.
152. Lima-Dellamora, E.D.C.; Caetano, R.; Gustafsson, L.L.; Godman, B.B.; Patterson, K.; Osorio-De-Castro, C.G.S. An Analytical Framework for Assessing Drug and Therapeutics Committee Structure and Work Processes in Tertiary Brazilian Hospitals. Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol.; 2014; 115, pp. 268-276. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.12215]
153. Matsitse, T.B.; Helberg, E.; Meyer, J.C.; Godman, B.; Massele, A.; Schellack, N. Compliance with the primary health care treatment guidelines and the essential medicines list in the management of sexually transmitted infections in correctional centres in South Africa: Findings and implications. Expert Rev. Anti-Infect. Ther.; 2017; 15, pp. 963-972. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2017.1382354]
154. Matlala, M.; Gous, A.G.; Godman, B.; Meyer, J. Structure and activities of pharmacy and therapeutics committees among public hospitals in South Africa; findings and implications. Expert Rev. Clin. Pharmacol.; 2017; 10, pp. 1273-1280. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17512433.2017.1364625] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28776442]
155. Nguyen, T.T.P.; Do, T.X.; Nguyen, H.A.; Nguyen, C.T.T.; Meyer, J.C.; Godman, B.; Skosana, P.; Nguyen, B.T. A National Survey of Dispensing Practice and Customer Knowledge on Antibiotic Use in Vietnam and the Implications. Antibiotics; 2022; 11, 1091. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11081091] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36009960]
156. Alrasheedy, A.A.; Alsalloum, M.A.; Almuqbil, F.A.; Almuzaini, M.A.; Alkhayl, B.S.A.; Albishri, A.S.; Alharbi, F.F.; Alharbi, S.R.; Alodhayb, A.K.; Alfadl, A.A. et al. The impact of law enforcement on dispensing antibiotics without prescription: A multi-methods study from Saudi Arabia. Expert Rev. Anti-Infect. Ther.; 2019; 18, pp. 87-97. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2020.1705156] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31834825]
157. Godman, B.; Haque, M.; Abubakar, A.R.; Ogunleye, O.O.; Sani, I.H.; Sefah, I.; Kurdi, A.; Islam, S. Changes in availability, utilization, and prices of medicines and protection equipment for COVID-19 in an Urban population of Northern Nigeria. J. Res. Pharm. Prac.; 2021; 10, pp. 17-22. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4103/jrpp.JRPP_20_92] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34295848]
158. Gad, M.; Salem, A.; Oortwijn, W.; Hill, R.; Godman, B. Mapping of Current Obstacles for Rationalizing Use of Medicines (CORUM) in Europe: Current Situation and Potential Solutions. Front. Pharmacol.; 2020; 11, 144. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00144] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32194401]
159. World Health Organization. COVAX. Working for Global Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccines. 2020; Available online: https://www.who.int/initiatives/act-accelerator/covax (accessed on 19 February 2021).
160. Ritchie, H.; Mathieu, E.; Rodés-Guirao, L.; Appel, C.; Giattino, C.; Ortiz-Ospina, E.; Hasell, J.; Macdonald, B.; Beltekian, D.; Roser, M. Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). 2020; Available online: https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus (accessed on 7 September 2022).
161. Xinhua. Botswana Launches Drive-through COVID-19 Caccination Campaign. 2021; Available online: http://www.news.cn/english/africa/2021-10/13/c_1310241172.htm (accessed on 1 August 2022).
162. Reliefweb. Learning from Botswana’s COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout. 2021; Available online: https://reliefweb.int/report/botswana/learning-botswana-s-covid-19-vaccine-rollout (accessed on 1 August 2022).
163. Daily News Egypt. Egypt Launches Campaign to Encourage Public to Register for COVID-19 Vaccination. 2021; Available online: https://www.zawya.com/en/life/egypt-launches-campaign-to-encourage-public-to-register-for-covid-19-vaccination-i6pousg2 (accessed on 2 August 2022).
164. Saied, S.M.; Saied, E.M.; Kabbash, I.A.; Abdo, S.A.E. Vaccine hesitancy: Beliefs and barriers associated with COVID-19 vaccination among Egyptian medical students. J. Med. Virol.; 2021; 93, pp. 4280-4291. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmv.26910]
165. Qunaibi, E.; Basheti, I.; Soudy, M.; Sultan, I. Hesitancy of Arab Healthcare Workers towards COVID-19 Vaccination: A Large-Scale Multinational Study. Vaccines; 2021; 9, 446. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9050446]
166. Nabeth, P.; Hassan, M.; Adib, K.; Abubakar, A.; Brennan, R. New COVID-19 resurgence in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region. Lancet; 2021; 397, pp. 1348-1349. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00679-6]
167. Reliefweb. Eswatini: Vaccinating People against COVID-19 in Hard-to-Reach Communities. 2022; Available online: https://reliefweb.int/report/eswatini/eswatini-vaccinating-people-against-covid-19-hard-reach-communities (accessed on 2 August 2022).
168. Reliefweb. In Eswatini, Pact Launches App to Fight COVID Misinformation, Vaccine Hesitancy. 2021; Available online: https://reliefweb.int/report/eswatini/eswatini-pact-launches-app-fight-covid-misinformation-vaccine-hesitancy (accessed on 2 August 2022).
169. Head, M.; Brackstone, K.; Boateng, L. Vaccine Hesitancy Has Risen in Ghana: A Closer Look at WHO’S Worried. 2021; Available online: https://theconversation.com/vaccine-hesitancy-has-risen-in-ghana-a-closer-look-at-whos-worried-164733 (accessed on 2 August 2022).
170. Brackstone, K.; Boateng, L.A.; Atengble, K.; Head, M.; Akinocho, H.; Osei, K.; Nuamah, K. Examining Drivers of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Ghana; University of Southampton: Southampton, UK, 2021; [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14494851]
171. Alhassan, R.K.; Owusu-Agyei, S.; Ansah, E.K.; Gyapong, M. COVID-19 vaccine uptake among health care workers in Ghana: A case for targeted vaccine deployment campaigns in the global south. Hum. Resour. Health; 2021; 19, 136. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12960-021-00657-1]
172. Agyekum, M.W.; Afrifa-Anane, G.F.; Kyei-Arthur, F.; Addo, B. Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccination among Health Care Workers in Ghana. Adv. Public Health; 2021; 2021, 9998176. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9998176]
173. Rufai, N. After Botched Ebola Vaccine Trial, Ghana Struggles with Vaccine Hesitancy. 2021; Available online: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/after-botched-ebola-vaccine-trial-ghana-struggles-with-vaccine-hesitancy (accessed on 1 August 2022).
174. Afriyie, D.K.; Asare, G.A.; Amponsah, S.K.; Godman, B. COVID-19 pandemic in resource-poor countries: Challenges, experiences and opportunities in Ghana. J. Infect. Dev. Ctries; 2020; 14, pp. 838-843. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3855/jidc.12909] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32903226]
175. Fan, J.; Wang, X.; Du, S.; Mao, A.; Du, H.; Qiu, W. Discussion of the Trust in Vaccination against COVID-19. Vaccines; 2022; 10, 1214. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081214] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36016102]
176. Osur, J.; Muinga, E.; Carter, J.; Kuria, S.; Hussein, S.; Ireri, E.M. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: Vaccination intention and attitudes of community health volunteers in Kenya. PLoS Glob. Public Health; 2022; 2, e0000233. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000233]
177. Orangi, S.; Pinchoff, J.; Mwanga, D.; Abuya, T.; Hamaluba, M.; Warimwe, G.; Austrian, K.; Barasa, E. Assessing the Level and Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence in Kenya. Vaccines; 2021; 9, 936. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9080936]
178. Oyekale, A.S. Compliance Indicators of COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccines Hesitancy in Kenya: A Random-Effects Endogenous Probit Model. Vaccines; 2021; 9, 1359. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9111359]
179. Republic of Kenya Ministry of Health. National COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Plan, 2021. National Vaccine & Immunization Program—Acceleration of COVID-19 Vaccination Program in Kenya. Available online: https://www.health.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/NATIONAL-COVID-19-VACCINE-DEPLOYMENT-PLAN-2021.pdf (accessed on 2 August 2022).
180. The World Bank. Rolling Out COVID-19 Vaccines in Malawi Amid Hesitancy and Supply Challenges. 2021; Available online: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/10/19/rolling-out-covid-19-vaccines-in-malawi-amid-hesitancy-and-supply-challenges (accessed on 1 August 2022).
181. WHO Malawi. Malawi Marks One Year of COVID-19 Vaccination, 828, 080 People Receive Full Dose. 2022; Available online: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/malawi/news/malawi-marks-one-year-covid-19-vaccination-828-080-people-receive-full-dose (accessed on 1 August 2022).
182. Masina, L. Malawi Fears Its COVID Vaccines Will Expire Due to Hesitancy. 2021; Available online: https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_malawi-fears-its-covid-vaccines-will-expire-due-hesitancy/6219387.html (accessed on 1 August 2022).
183. Tembo, L. Tackling COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation Through Faith Leaders—Faith Leaders Are Key in Behaviour Change. 2022; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/malawi/stories/tackling-covid-19-vaccine-misinformation-through-faith-leaders (accessed on 1 August 2022).
184. Ezigbo, O. Nigeria: Tackling Vaccine Hesitancy Fuelled by Misinformation, Propaganda. 2021; Available online: https://allafrica.com/stories/202109230882.html (accessed on 2 August 2022).
185. Nomhwange, T.; Wariri, O.; Nkereuwem, E.; Olanrewaju, S.; Nwosu, N.; Adamu, U.; Danjuma, E.; Onuaguluchi, N.; Enegela, J.; Nomhwange, E. et al. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy amongst healthcare workers: An assessment of its magnitude and determinants during the initial phase of national vaccine deployment in Nigeria. eClinicalMedicine; 2022; 50, 101499. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101499]
186. Njoga, E.O.; Mshelbwala, P.P.; Abah, K.O.; Awoyomi, O.J.; Wangdi, K.; Pewan, S.B.; Oyeleye, F.A.; Galadima, H.B.; Alhassan, S.A.; Okoli, C.E. et al. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Determinants of Acceptance among Healthcare Workers, Academics and Tertiary Students in Nigeria. Vaccines; 2022; 10, 626. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10040626]
187. Iliyasu, Z.; Umar, A.A.; Abdullahi, H.M.; Kwaku, A.A.; Amole, T.G.; Tsiga-Ahmed, F.I.; Garba, R.M.; Salihu, H.M.; Aliyu, M.H. “They have produced a vaccine, but we doubt if COVID-19 exists”: Correlates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among adults in Kano, Nigeria. Hum. Vaccines Immunother.; 2021; 17, pp. 4057-4064. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2021.1974796]
188. Chukwu, O.A.; Nnogo, C.C. Surmounting inherent challenges in healthcare service delivery for effective procurement and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines; A developing country context. Health Policy Technol.; 2021; 10, 100518. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2021.100518]
189. Nkanjeni, U. Over 50? The Health Department Is Offering You Free Transport to Vaccination Sites. 2021; Available online: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-08-26-over-50-the-health-department-is-offering-you-free-transport-to-vaccination-sites/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
190. Department of Health Republic of South Africa. Vooma Voucher Communication. 2021; Available online: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/vooma-voucher-communication (accessed on 1 August 2022).
191. Engelbrecht, M.; Heunis, C.; Kigozi, G. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in South Africa: Lessons for Future Pandemics. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health; 2022; 19, 6694. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116694]
192. Kollamparambil, U.; Oyenubi, A.; Nwosu, C. COVID-19 vaccine intentions in South Africa: Health communication strategy to address vaccine hesitancy. BMC Public Health; 2021; 21, 2113. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12196-4] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34789201]
193. Swed, S.; Mohamed, T.; Sakkour, R.; Motawea, K.R.; Bohsas, H. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among indigenous people in Sudan: An incipient crisis. Ann. Med. Surg.; 2022; 75, 103379. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103379] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35186288]
194. Udoh, K. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in South Sudan; What Lessons Can be Learned From Angola’s Success Story?. Am. J. Health Promot.; 2022; 36, pp. 579-581. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/08901171211070955] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35164545]
195. Raja, S.M.; Osman, M.E.; Musa, A.O.; Hussien, A.A.; Yusuf, K. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and associated factors among medical students in Sudan. PLoS ONE; 2022; 17, e0266670. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266670]
196. Bongomin, F.; Olum, R.; Andia-Biraro, I.; Nakwagala, F.N.; Hassan, K.H.; Nassozi, D.R.; Kaddumukasa, M.; Byakika-Kibwika, P.; Kiguli, S.; Kirenga, B.J. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among high-risk populations in Uganda. Ther. Adv. Infect. Dis.; 2021; 8, 20499361211024376. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/20499361211024376]
197. Carcelen, A.C.; Prosperi, C.; Mutembo, S.; Chongwe, G.; Mwansa, F.D.; Ndubani, P.; Simulundu, E.; Chilumba, I.; Musukwa, G.; Thuma, P. et al. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Zambia: A glimpse at the possible challenges ahead for COVID-19 vaccination rollout in sub-Saharan Africa. Hum. Vaccines Immunother.; 2021; 18, pp. 1-6. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2021.1948784]
198. McAbee, L.; Tapera, O.; Kanyangarara, M. Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions in Eastern Zimbabwe: A Cross-Sectional Study. Vaccines; 2021; 9, 1109. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9101109]
199. Dubé, E. Addressing vaccine hesitancy: The crucial role of healthcare providers. Clin. Microbiol. Infect.; 2017; 23, pp. 279-280. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2016.11.007]
200. Dror, A.A.; Eisenbach, N.; Taiber, S.; Morozov, N.G.; Mizrachi, M.; Zigron, A.; Srouji, S.; Sela, E. Vaccine hesitancy: The next challenge in the fight against COVID-19. Eur. J. Epidemiol.; 2020; 35, pp. 775-779. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10654-020-00671-y]
201. Freeman, D.; Waite, F.; Rosebrock, L.; Petit, A.; Causier, C.; East, A.; Jenner, L.; Teale, A.-L.; Carr, L.; Mulhall, S. et al. Coronavirus conspiracy beliefs, mistrust, and compliance with government guidelines in England. Psychol. Med.; 2020; 52, pp. 251-263. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720001890]
202. Huangfu, L.; Mo, Y.; Zhang, P.; Zeng, D.D.; He, S. COVID-19 Vaccine Tweets After Vaccine Rollout: Sentiment–Based Topic Modeling. J. Med. Internet Res.; 2022; 24, e31726. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2196/31726] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34783665]
203. Robertson, C.T.; Bentele, K.; Meyerson, B.; Wood, A.S.A.; Salwa, J. Effects of political versus expert messaging on vaccination intentions of Trump voters. PLoS ONE; 2021; 16, e0257988. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257988] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34570798]
204. Ajayi, O. COVID-19: Nigeria Develops Two Vaccines, Awaits Clinical Trials, Certification. 2021; Available online: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/03/covid-19-nigeria-develops-two-vaccines-awaits-clinical-trials-certification-2/ (accessed on 1 August 2022).
205. WHO. Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR). 2022; Available online: https://www.who.int/clinical-trials-registry-platform/network/primary-registries/pan-african-clinical-trials-registry-pactr (accessed on 2 August 2022).
206. AHRI. The PAVIA Project Aims to Strengthen Pharmacovigilance (PV) in Four African Countries. 2018; Available online: https://ahri.gov.et/2021/03/04/the-pavia-project-aims-to-strengthen-pharmacovigilance-pv-in-four-african-countries/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
207. Kibuule, D.; Nambahu, L.; Sefah, I.A.; Kurdi, A.; Phuong, T.N.T.; Kwon, H.-Y.; Godman, B. Activities in Namibia to Limit the Prevalence and Mortality from COVID-19 Including Community Pharmacy Activities and the Implications. Sch. Acad. J. Pharm.; 2021; 10, pp. 82-92. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.36347/sajp.2021.v10i05.001]
208. Schellack, N.; Coetzee, M.; Schellack, G.; Gijzelaar, M.; Hassim, Z.; Milne, M.; Bronkhorst, E.; Padayachee, N.; Singh, N.; Kolman, S. et al. COVID-19: Guidelines for pharmacists in South Africa. S. Afr. J. Infect. Dis.; 2020; 35, a206. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajid.v35i1.206] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34192121]
209. Cadogan, C.A.; Hughes, C.M. On the frontline against COVID-19: Community pharmacists’ contribution during a public health crisis. Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm.; 2020; 17, pp. 2032-2035. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.03.015]
210. Hedima, E.W.; Adeyemi, M.S.; Ikunaiye, N.Y. WITHDRAWN: Community pharmacists: On the frontline of health service against COVID-19 in LMICs. Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm.; 2020; [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.04.017]
211. Kharel, R.; Baird, J.; Vaishnav, H.; Chillara, N.; Lee, J.A.; Genisca, A.; Hayward, A.; Uzevski, V.; Elbenni, A.; Levine, A.C. et al. Development and assessment of novel virtual COVID-19 trainer-of trainers course implemented by an academic–humanitarian partnership. Glob. Health Action; 2022; 15, 2010391. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.2010391]
212. WHO. Second Training of Trainers on Infection Prevention and Control. 2021; Available online: https://www.afro.who.int/pt/node/14623 (accessed on 6 September 2022).
213. Xinhua. Skepticism Still Rife Despite Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccine in Zambia. 2021; Available online: https://www.macaubusiness.com/skepticism-still-rife-despite-rollout-of-covid-19-vaccine-in-zambia/ (accessed on 1 August 2022).
214. Shaaban, R.; Ghazy, R.M.; Elsherif, F.; Ali, N.; Yakoub, Y.; Aly, M.O.; ElMakhzangy, R.; Abdou, M.S.; McKinna, B.; Elzorkany, A.M. et al. COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Social Media Users: A Content Analysis, Multi-Continent Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health; 2022; 19, 5737. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095737]
215. Muric, G.; Wu, Y.; Ferrara, E. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy on Social Media: Building a Public Twitter Data Set of Antivaccine Content, Vaccine Misinformation, and Conspiracies. JMIR Public Health Surveill.; 2021; 7, e30642. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2196/30642]
216. IMF. Seven Finance & Trade Lessons from COVID-19 for Future Pandemics. 2022; Available online: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2022/05/20/Seven-Finance-Trade-Lessons-from-COVID-19-for-Future-Pandemics-517755 (accessed on 2 August 2022).
217. Chavula, J. COVID-19 Vaccines on Wheels. 2022; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/malawi/stories/covid-19-vaccines-wheels (accessed on 1 August 2022).
218. Rahman, W. Egypt Allocates Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Elderly, Pensioners. 2021; Available online: https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3008776/egypt-allocates-mobile-covid-19-vaccination-clinics-elderly-pensioners (accessed on 1 August 2022).
219. WHO. New Consortium Working to Boost Vaccine Production in South Africa. 2021; Available online: https://www.who.int/news/item/30-07-2021-new-consortium-working-to-boost-vaccine-production-in-south-africa (accessed on 2 August 2022).
220. DW. COVID-19: South Africa Develops Own Coronavirus Vaccine. 2021; Available online: https://www.dw.com/en/covid-19-south-africa-develops-own-coronavirus-vaccine/a-60121009 (accessed on 2 August 2022).
221. Sun, T. Boosting COVID-19 Vaccine Production in Nigeria, Others. 2022; Available online: https://www.sunnewsonline.com/boosting-covid-19-vaccine-production-in-nigeria-others/ (accessed on 1 August 2022).
222. Al-Monitor. Egypt Establishes Largest Coronavirus Vaccine Factory in Middle East. 2021; Available online: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/09/egypt-establishes-largest-coronavirus-vaccine-factory-middle-east (accessed on 2 August 2022).
223. Bloomberg. Aspen’s Covid Flop Bodes Ill for Africa’s Vaccine Making Drive. 2022; Available online: https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/aspens-covid-flop-bodes-ill-for-africas-vaccine-making-drive-2022-05-18 (accessed on 6 September 2022).
224. Van Nguyen, D.; Nguyen, P.-H. Social media and COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy: The mediating role of the COVID-19 vaccine perception. Heliyon; 2022; e10575. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10575]
225. WHO. COVID-19 and Mandatory Vaccination: Ethical Considerations. 2022; Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Policy-brief-Mandatory-vaccination-2022.1 (accessed on 2 August 2022).
226. Gibelli, F.; Ricci, G.; Sirignano, A.; De Leo, D. COVID-19 Compulsory Vaccination: Legal and Bioethical Controversies. Front. Med.; 2022; 9, 821522. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.821522] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35187005]
227. Hsu, J. How COVID-19 Is Accelerating the Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance. BMJ; 2020; 369, m1983. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m1983] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32423901]
228. WHO. Strategy to Achieve Global Covid-19 Vaccination by Mid-2022. Available online: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/immunization/covid-19/strategy-to-achieve-global-covid-19-vaccination-by-mid-2022.pdf (accessed on 2 August 2022).
229. WHO. COVID-19 Vaccination in Africa Increases by Almost Three-Quarters in June 2022. 2022; Available online: https://www.afro.who.int/news/covid-19-vaccination-africa-increases-almost-three-quarters-june-2022 (accessed on 6 September 2022).
230. Lassi, Z.; Naseem, R.; Salam, R.; Siddiqui, F.; Das, J. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Immunization Campaigns and Programs: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health; 2021; 18, 988. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030988] [PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33499422]
231. Godman, B.; Sefah, I.A.; Kordorwu, H.E.; Essah, D.O.; Kurdi, A. Prevalence rate of spontaneously reported adverse events and determinants of serious adverse events amongst three outpatient care settings in Ghana: Findings and implications. Adv. Hum. Biol.; 2021; 11, 97. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4103/aihb.aihb_148_20]
232. ECA. African Vaccine Acquisition Trust Delivers 108,000 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine to Botswana. 2021; Available online: https://www.uneca.org/?q=stories/african-vaccine-acquisition-trust-delivers-108%2C000-doses-of-covid-19-vaccine-to-botswana (accessed on 2 August 2022).
233. Ndi, N. Cameroon Receives 200,000 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines from China. 2021; Available online: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/rest-of-africa/cameroon-receives-covid-19-vaccines-from-china-3362950 (accessed on 1 August 2022).
234. Amani, A.; Djossaya, D.; Njoh, A.A.; Fouda, A.A.B.; Ndoula, S.; Abba-Kabir, H.M.; Mossus, T.; Nguefack-Tsague, G.; Kamgno, J. The first 30 days of COVID-19 vaccination in Cameroon: Achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. Pan Afr. Med. J.; 2022; 41, 201.
235. Unicef Egypt. Egypt Receives 546,400 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Donated by France Through AVAT and COVAX Platforms. 2021; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/egypt/press-releases/egypt-receives-546400-doses-covid-19-vaccines-donated-france-through-avat-and-covax (accessed on 2 August 2022).
236. Al-Monitor. Spanish Leader Promises COVID-19 Vaccines to Egypt. 2021; Available online: https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/11/spanish-leader-promises-covid-19-vaccines-egypt (accessed on 2 August 2022).
237. Reliefweb. Giving 110%: Eswatini’s Early Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccines. 2021; Available online: https://reliefweb.int/report/eswatini/giving-110-eswatini-s-early-rollout-covid-19-vaccines (accessed on 1 August 2022).
238. MyJoyOnline. Akufo-Addo, Bawumia, Others Get Vaccinated against COVID-19. 2021; Available online: https://www.myjoyonline.com/livestream-akufo-addo-bawumia-others-get-vaccinated-against-covid-19/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
239. United Nations News. Ghana Receives First Historic Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccinations from International COVAX Facility. 2021; Available online: https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1085572 (accessed on 2 August 2022).
240. UNICEF. Another 410,000 COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Arrive in Kenya, Donated by the, U.K. 2021; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/kenya/press-releases/another-410000-covid-19-vaccine-doses-arrive-kenya-donated-uk (accessed on 1 August 2022).
241. Njeru, B. Kenya Receives Another Vaccine Donation. 2021; Available online: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/health-science/article/2001417729/kenya-receives-another-vaccine-donation (accessed on 2 August 2022).
242. UNICEF. UK Donates COVID-19 Vaccines to Malawi. 2021; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/malawi/press-releases/uk-donates-covid-19-vaccines-malawi (accessed on 1 August 2022).
243. UNICEF. Malawi Receives First Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccines from COVAX. 2021; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/malawi/press-releases/malawi-receives-first-shipment-covid-19-vaccines-covax (accessed on 2 August 2022).
244. WHO Africa. COVID-19 Vaccines Shipped by COVAX Arrive in Nigeria. 2021; Available online: https://www.afro.who.int/news/covid-19-vaccines-shipped-covax-arrive-nigeria (accessed on 1 August 2022).
245. Loembé, M.M.; Nkengasong, J.N. COVID-19 Vaccine Access in Africa: Global Distribution, Vaccine Platforms, and Challenges Ahead. Immunity; 2021; 54, pp. 1353-1362. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2021.06.017]
246. Ezigbo, O. Nigeria Receives 501, 600 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine from France. 2022; Available online: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/10/09/nigeria-receives-501-600-doses-of-covid-19-vaccine-from-france/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
247. Adebowale-Tambe, N. COVID-19: Italian Govt Donates over Three Million Doses of Vaccine to Nigeria. 2022; Available online: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/523255-covid-19-italian-govt-donates-over-three-million-doses-of-vaccine-to-nigeria.html (accessed on 1 August 2022).
248. Premium Times. COVID-19: Japanese Govt Donates over 800,000 Doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine to Nigeria. 2022; Available online: https://headtopics.com/ng/covid-19-japanese-govt-donates-over-800-000-doses-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-nigeria-24433360 (accessed on 1 August 2022).
249. Chocomilo, S. Spain Donates 4.4m COVID-19 Vaccines To Nigeria. 2022; Available online: https://www.withinnigeria.com/news/2022/05/26/spain-donates-4-4m-covid-19-vaccines-to-nigeria/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
250. US Mission. U.S. Donates an Additional 2.5 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines to Nigeria This Week. 2021; Available online: https://ng.usembassy.gov/u-s-donates-an-additional-2-5-million-doses-of-covid-19-vaccines-to-nigeria-this-week/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
251. Adepegba, A. India Donates 100,000 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines to Nigeria. 2021; Available online: https://punchng.com/india-donates-100000-doses-of-covid-19-vaccines-to-nigeria/ (accessed on 1 August 2022).
252. Unicef Sudan. Sudan Joins the COVAX Facility to Ensure Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccines—Frequently Asked Questions about COVAX and Sudan’s Participation. 2021; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/sudan/stories/sudan-joins-covax-facility-ensure-equitable-access-covid-19-vaccines (accessed on 2 August 2022).
253. Ryeng, H. The First COVID-19 Vaccines Have Arrived in Tanzania—An Important Milestone in the Fight against COVID-19. 2021; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/tanzania/stories/first-covid-19-vaccines-have-arrived-tanzania (accessed on 1 August 2022).
254. Africanews. Tanzania Receives 500,000 Sinopharm Vaccines from China. 2021; Available online: https://www.africanews.com/2021/11/03/tanzania-receives-500-000-sinopharm-vaccines-from-china/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
255. Kamoga, J. Uganda to Roll Out First Round of COVID-19 Vaccine on March 10. 2021; Available online: https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/science-health/uganda-to-roll-out-first-round-jabs-3315226 (accessed on 1 August 2022).
256. UNICEF. Uganda to Benefit from UK COVID-19 Vaccines Donation. 2021; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/uganda/press-releases/uganda-benefit-uk-covid-19-vaccines-donation (accessed on 2 August 2022).
257. The Independent. Uganda Receives COVID-19 Vaccine Donation from India. 2021; Available online: https://www.independent.co.ug/uganda-receives-covid-19-vaccine-donation-from-india/ (accessed on 1 August 2022).
258. James, J. COVID-19 Vaccines Shipped by COVAX Arrive in Zambia—Donation by France; COVAX Local Press Statement on Arrival of 228,000 Vaccines in Zambia. 2021; Available online: https://www.unicef.org/zambia/press-releases/covid-19-vaccines-shipped-covax-arrive-zambia-donation-france (accessed on 2 August 2022).
259. Madhi, S.A.; Baillie, V.; Cutland, C.L.; Voysey, M.; Koen, A.L.; Fairlie, L.; Padayachee, S.D.; Dheda, K.; Barnabas, S.L.; Bhorat, Q.E. et al. Efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 COVID-19 Vaccine against the B.1.351 Variant. N. Engl. J. Med.; 2021; 384, pp. 1885-1898. [DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2102214]
260. Sisonke Programme—Sisonke Study Protecting Healthcare Workers. 2021; Available online: https://sisonkestudy.samrc.ac.za/indexsisonke.html (accessed on 1 August 2022).
261. SAMRC. Vast Majority of Breakthrough Infections in Vaccinated Health Workers Are Mild. 2021; Available online: https://www.samrc.ac.za/media-release/vast-majority-breakthrough-infections-vaccinated-health-workers-are-mild (accessed on 1 August 2022).
262. APA-Mbabane. Eswatini Adds AstraZeneca to COVID-19 Booster Doses. 2022; Available online: http://apanews.net/en/news/eswatini-adds-astrazeneca-to-covid-19-booster-doses/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
263. Wikipedia. COVID-19 Vaccination in Ghana. 2021; Available online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_vaccination_in_Ghana (accessed on 1 August 2022).
264. Larbie, S. GHS Begins Administering COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots. 2022; Available online: https://www.gna.org.gh/1.21323473 (accessed on 2 August 2022).
265. Saya, M. Kenya Starts Giving COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots. 2021; Available online: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2021-12-25-kenya-starts-giving-covid-19-vaccine-booster-shots/ (accessed on 1 August 2022).
266. Kalekye, M. Kenya Administers 114,007 Covid Booster Jabs. 2022; Available online: https://www.kbc.co.ke/kenya-administers-114007-covid-booster-jabs/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
267. Silas, D. FG Govt Approves COVID-19 Vaccines Booster for Nigerians. 2021; Available online: https://dailypost.ng/2021/12/04/fg-govt-approves-covid-19-vaccines-booster-for-nigerians/ (accessed on 1 August 2022).
268. The Independent. Uganda Alters COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-Out Plan to Cover More People. 2021; Available online: https://www.independent.co.ug/uganda-alters-covid-19-vaccine-roll-out-plan-to-cover-more-people/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
269. Nabatanzi, V. COVID-19: Govt to Roll Out Vaccination to Children. 2022; Available online: https://www.bukedde.co.ug/health/130937/covid-19-govt-to-roll-out-vaccination-to-chil (accessed on 1 August 2022).
270. Unicef Uganda. Country Office Annual Report 2021. Available online: https://www.unicef.org/media/116466/file/Uganda-2021-COAR.pdf (accessed on 2 August 2022).
271. AllAfrica. Uganda: Health Ministry Approves COVID-19 Booster Shots for Ugandans. 2021; Available online: https://allafrica.com/stories/202112280071.html (accessed on 1 August 2022).
272. Jere, J. Booster Jab Available in All Public Health Centers. 2021; Available online: https://www.znbc.co.zm/news/booster-jab-available-in-all-public-health-centers/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
273. Cajnewsafrica. Zimbabwe Takes Lead in COVID-19 Rollout. 2021; Available online: https://www.cajnewsafrica.com/2021/08/05/zimbabwe-takes-lead-in-covid-19-rollout/ (accessed on 1 August 2022).
274. Gonye, V. Govt Gives Guidelines on Booster Shots. 2021; Available online: https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/12/govt-gives-guidelines-on-booster-shots/ (accessed on 2 August 2022).
You have requested "on-the-fly" machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Show full disclaimer
Neither ProQuest nor its licensors make any representations or warranties with respect to the translations. The translations are automatically generated "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" and are not retained in our systems. PROQUEST AND ITS LICENSORS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES FOR AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Your use of the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in your Electronic Products License Agreement and by using the translation functionality you agree to forgo any and all claims against ProQuest or its licensors for your use of the translation functionality and any output derived there from. Hide full disclaimer
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.
Abstract
The introduction of effective vaccines in December 2020 marked a significant step forward in the global response to COVID-19. Given concerns with access, acceptability, and hesitancy across Africa, there is a need to describe the current status of vaccine uptake in the continent. An exploratory study was undertaken to investigate these aspects, current challenges, and lessons learnt across Africa to provide future direction. Senior personnel across 14 African countries completed a self-administered questionnaire, with a descriptive analysis of the data. Vaccine roll-out commenced in March 2021 in most countries. COVID-19 vaccination coverage varied from low in Cameroon and Tanzania and up to 39.85% full coverage in Botswana at the end of 2021; that is, all doses advocated by initial protocols versus the total population, with rates increasing to 58.4% in Botswana by the end of June 2022. The greatest increase in people being fully vaccinated was observed in Uganda (20.4% increase), Botswana (18.5% increase), and Zambia (17.9% increase). Most vaccines were obtained through WHO-COVAX agreements. Initially, vaccination was prioritised for healthcare workers (HCWs), the elderly, adults with co-morbidities, and other at-risk groups, with countries now commencing vaccination among children and administering booster doses. Challenges included irregular supply and considerable hesitancy arising from misinformation fuelled by social media activities. Overall, there was fair to reasonable access to vaccination across countries, enhanced by government initiatives. Vaccine hesitancy must be addressed with context-specific interventions, including proactive programmes among HCWs, medical journalists, and the public.
You have requested "on-the-fly" machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Show full disclaimer
Neither ProQuest nor its licensors make any representations or warranties with respect to the translations. The translations are automatically generated "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" and are not retained in our systems. PROQUEST AND ITS LICENSORS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES FOR AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Your use of the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in your Electronic Products License Agreement and by using the translation functionality you agree to forgo any and all claims against ProQuest or its licensors for your use of the translation functionality and any output derived there from. Hide full disclaimer
Details

















1 Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos 100271, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos 100271, Nigeria
2 Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab Emirates; Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 02084, South Africa
3 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti 362103, Nigeria; Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti 360211, Nigeria
4 Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 50110, Zambia; Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
5 Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti 360211, Nigeria
6 Nigerian Center for Disease Control, Plot 801, Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja 900108, Nigeria
7 Department of Pharmacy, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos 100271, Nigeria
8 Child, Youth and School Health Directorate, National Department of Health, Pretoria 0083, South Africa
9 Children’s Cancer Hospital, Egypt-57357 (CCHE-57357), Cairo 11441, Egypt
10 Biomedical Research Department, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Cairo 11774, Egypt
11 CIMAS, Cimas House, Borrowdale Office Park, Borrowdale Road, Harare P.O. Box 1243, Zimbabwe
12 Department of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare P.O. Box MP167, Zimbabwe
13 Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 50110, Zambia
14 Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 02084, South Africa; Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, Egerton University, Nakuru P.O.Box 536, Kenya; East Africa Centre for Vaccines and Immunization (ECAVI), Namela House, Naguru, Kampala P.O. Box 3040, Uganda
15 Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Busitema University, Mbale P.O. Box 236, Uganda
16 Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Hurbert Kairuki Memorial University, 70 Chwaku Road Mikocheni, Dar Es Salaam P.O. Box 65300, Tanzania
17 Pharmacy Department, Formerly College of Medicine, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre P.O. Box 278, Malawi
18 Department of Global Health and Development (GHD), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London WC1E 7TH, UK
19 National Medicines and Poisons Board, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum P.O. Box 303, Sudan; Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unaizah 51911, Saudi Arabia
20 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
21 Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 19676-00202, Kenya
22 Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 19676-00202, Kenya
23 Department of Pharmacy, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra P.O. Box 77, Ghana
24 Pharmacy Practice Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe PMB 31, Ghana
25 Pharmacy Department, Ghana Police Hospital, Accra P.O. Box CT104, Ghana
26 Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0QU, UK
27 Pharmacy Department, Eswatini Medical Christian University, P.O. Box A624, Swazi Plaza, Mbabane H100, Eswatini
28 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Swazi Plaza P.O. Box A624, Mbabane H100, Eswatini
29 Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Swazi Plaza P.O. Box A624, Mbabane H100, Eswatini
30 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-natal (UKZN), Durban 4001, South Africa
31 Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Ndamukong Street, Bamenda 5175, Cameroon; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide University, Adelaide 5005, Australia
32 Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa, Ndamukong Street, Bamenda 5175, Cameroon; Department of Public Health, University of Bamenda, Bambili P.O. Box 39, Cameroon
33 Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone P.O. Box 70480, Botswana
34 Department of Medicine, Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital, Gaborone P.O. Box 70480, Botswana
35 Department of Pharmacy, University of Botswana, Gaborone P.O. Box 70480, Botswana
36 Health and Safety Department, Dubai Municipality, Dubai P.O. Box 67, United Arab Emirates; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
37 Department of Community Health, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos PMB 21266, Nigeria
38 Medical Microbiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare P.O. Box MP167, Zimbabwe
39 School of Pharmacy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA 02115, USA
40 Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 02084, South Africa; Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
41 Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 02084, South Africa