COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Among Ethiopian Healthcare Workers: Key Findings and Insights

Strategic Insights -

A study conducted by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute found that despite the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers (HCWs), a significant proportion of them were not fully vaccinated. The research analyzed data from 600 randomly selected HCWs in high-burden cities in Ethiopia and identified various barriers and enhancers to vaccination. The study revealed that safety concerns were the primary barrier, with 51.9% of HCWs citing this as their main reason for not receiving the vaccine. On the other hand, more information on safety and efficacy, as well as regulatory approval, were key motivators for vaccination.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 70.3% of HCWs (n = 422) received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 39.2% (n = 235) were fully vaccinated.
  • The primary barrier to vaccination was safety concerns, with 51.9% of HCWs citing this as their main reason.
  • The top motivators for vaccination were more information on safety and efficacy (53.1%), regulatory approval (27.3%), and the confidence of HCWs in recommending vaccination.
  • HCWs who did not recommend vaccination were less likely to be vaccinated (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41-0.85).
  • Professionals such as radiographers (PR = 0.78), pharmacists (PR = 0.79), and laboratory personnel (PR = 0.85) were less likely to be vaccinated compared to physicians.
  • Older HCWs (25 years) were twice as likely to be vaccinated, while HCWs in health centers were more likely to be vaccinated than those in hospitals (PR = 1.201, 95% CI: 1.076-1.341).

Statistics:

  • 70.3% of HCWs received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • 39.2% of HCWs were fully vaccinated.
  • 51.9% of HCWs cited safety concerns as their main reason for not receiving the vaccine.
  • 53.1% of HCWs reported that more information on safety and efficacy was a key motivator for vaccination.
  • 27.3% of HCWs mentioned regulatory approval as a motivator.

Sources:

  • Vaccine uptake, barriers and enhancers of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers from high-burden cities in Ethiopia. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 2025,16(1):e1-e9.
  • AOSIS. Journal of Public Health in Africa. https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.4102/jphia.v16i1.673