COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its determinants in the Bono Region of Ghana

OBJECTIVE: The study assessed willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine among out-patient department (OPD) attendants in the Bono Region in Ghana. DESIGN: This was an analytical cross-sectional study SETTING: The study was conducted at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital (WMH) OPD, Bono Region, Ghana. The region had not yet been earmarked for vaccination at the time of the study. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and twenty-five (325) participants aged ≥18 years, accessing care at the OPD of WMH and willing to give informed consent, were interviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of participants willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine and its determinants. RESULTS: Of 325 participants interviewed, 32 (9.8%) had been vaccinated already. 82.6% (242/293) indicated COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the unvaccinated. The major reason for vaccine acceptance was “it could protect against COVID-19” (96.7%, 234/242). “Fear of vaccine side effects and “perception of not being susceptible to COVID-19” were among the reasons for vaccine refusal. Perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 (AOR 4.09, 95% CI 1.79, 9.34), knowledge of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine (AOR 3.62, 95% CI 1.14, 11.46) and willingness to pay for the vaccine (AOR 5.20, 95% CI 2.49, 10.43) were associated with vaccine acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate knowledge of COVID-19 and the vaccine may drive vaccine acceptance in the study area and possibly other areas in Ghana. Campaign messages aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccine coverage must emphasise its safety, likely side effects and management in order to help rid the population of misconceptions. FUNDING: None indicated