South African Family Practice (Sep 2024)

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among unvaccinated individuals in a primary care setting, Pretoria

  • Dikonketjo M.P. Moeti,
  • Indiran Govender,
  • Tombo Bongongo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v66i1.5988
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 66, no. 1
pp. e1 – e9

Abstract

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Background: South Africa faced challenges while implementing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) measures such as mass vaccination. Some people rejected or were hesitant to receive government-recommended vaccines. This study explored COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among unvaccinated individuals in a primary care setting in Pretoria, South Africa. Methods: This was an exploratory phenomenological study that included one-on-one interviews with 12 individuals at Temba Community Health Centre in Pretoria, South Africa. Results: The research revealed five themes: perceptions of COVID-19 disease, perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine, factors related to non-vaccination, information sources about the COVID-19 vaccine, and long-term vaccination decisions. There were seven linked sub-themes. Conclusion: Overall, participants had a good understanding of COVID-19 disease, but limited knowledge about the vaccine, causing hesitancy to get vaccinated. Reasons for not getting vaccinated included health-related concerns, safety concerns, personal experiences, and social and political factors. Safety and health-related concerns were prevalent, with adverse vaccine outcomes being the most common concern. Most participants had experienced a historic encounter with a vaccine-related death or illness. Contribution: Vaccine hesitancy should be viewed as a powerful concern from the community, and a key source of worry for the health authorities over any vaccine-related doubt.

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