Survey finds high hesitancy toward mpox vaccination in Africa
January 2, 2025
A recent survey published in eClinicalMedicine highlights significant hesitancy toward mpox vaccination in Africa. Conducted across six countries, the study revealed that 32.7% of adults were reluctant to vaccinate themselves, while 38.9% hesitated to vaccinate their children. Factors such as low education, unemployment, and lack of prior vaccination experience correlated with increased hesitancy. However, the 7Cs model demonstrated that high vaccination readiness could reduce hesitancy, even in those without prior vaccination history. With only 5% mpox vaccine uptake in 2023, the findings emphasize the urgent need for enhanced vaccination education and readiness to combat hesitancy and bolster Africa’s immunization efforts.
A recent study published in eClinicalMedicine highlights significant mpox vaccine hesitancy in Africa, shedding light on challenges in immunization efforts amid ongoing outbreaks. The survey of 1,832 adults across Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa found that 32.7% of respondents were reluctant to vaccinate themselves, while 38.9% hesitated to vaccinate their children. Key factors influencing hesitancy included lower education levels, unemployment, single status, lower household income, and a lack of prior vaccination experience. Notably, individuals without a history of vaccinations for other diseases had a 2.66-fold higher risk of mpox vaccine hesitancy for themselves and a 2.16-fold higher risk for their children.
The study employed the 7Cs model—confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, collective responsibility, compliance, and conspiracy—to assess vaccination readiness. This framework revealed that high readiness can mitigate hesitancy, even among those without prior vaccination experience. Participants with high vaccination readiness but no history of other vaccinations exhibited reduced hesitancy compared to those with low readiness, although challenges persisted. Despite Africa being the epicenter of the mpox outbreak since 2022, vaccine uptake remains critically low, with a meta-analysis reporting only 5% coverage in 2023.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions to address hesitancy and improve vaccine acceptance. Educational initiatives should focus on raising awareness about mpox risks, dispelling misconceptions, and emphasizing the benefits of immunization. Community engagement strategies must prioritize areas with historically low immunization rates to enhance public trust and vaccination readiness. With Africa facing an ongoing mpox outbreak and low immunization coverage, this study underscores the critical importance of bolstering vaccination efforts to reduce hesitancy and promote public health. Enhanced education and readiness strategies are essential to mitigate the outbreak’s impact and ensure widespread vaccine acceptance across the continent.