Publication date: Aug 27, 2024

Vaccine hesitancy has played a major role in slowing the global COVID-19 response. Using cross-sectional, primarily qualitative data collected in four rural districts in Zambia, we aimed to explore community perceptions of COVID-19 disease and vaccines, including perceived motivators, cues to action, benefits, and barriers to vaccine uptake as guided by the Health Belief Model. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted in late 2021 with women of reproductive age who were enrolled in an early childhood development study. Although two-thirds of the 106 respondents reported low perceived risk of catching COVID-19, they expressed concern that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted their daily lives and feared effects of the disease. They had generally positive beliefs that the vaccine would be accepted among their communities when it became more widely available. Reported motivators to vaccine uptake included desire for protection against COVID-19 and understanding vaccine purpose, due to ongoing education from health personnel, neighbors, friends, radio, and church leaders. Misinformation or reported bad experiences served as cues away from vaccine uptake. Examples of misinformation included the vaccine causing COVID-19 or another disease and death and vaccines being associated with the devil and against Christian beliefs. Accounts of pain after receiving the vaccine also discouraged uptake. Perceived benefits included a desire to be protected from the disease, belief in the effectiveness of the vaccine, fear of catching COVID-19, and belief the vaccine would limit negative effects. Health system implementers and policy makers should consider recipient motivators and cues to action to further increase vaccination rates.

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