Low Acceptance of COVID-19 Booster Doses Among Healthcare Workers in Ethiopia

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted among healthcare workers (HCWs) at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, revealed low acceptance of COVID-19 booster doses, with only 28.6% of participants accepting the booster dose despite 86.5% holding favorable attitudes toward it. The study identified factors associated with booster dose acceptance, including older age, marital status, prior post-vaccination COVID-19 infection, and positive attitudes toward vaccination. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve uptake of COVID-19 booster doses among HCWs, which may influence public confidence in immunization.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 booster dose was accepted by only 28.6% of healthcare workers at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, despite 86.5% holding favorable attitudes toward it.
  • Older age was a significant predictor of booster dose acceptance, with HCWs aged 31-40 years, 41-50 years, and over 50 years being more likely to accept the booster dose compared to those aged 18-30 years.
  • Married individuals, those with post-vaccination COVID-19 infection, and those with a favorable attitude toward vaccination were more likely to accept the booster dose.
  • The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve uptake of COVID-19 booster doses among healthcare workers.
  • The findings suggest that low acceptance among healthcare workers may influence public confidence in immunization.

Statistics:

  • 28.6% of healthcare workers accepted the COVID-19 booster dose.
  • 86.5% of healthcare workers held favorable attitudes toward the booster dose.
  • 51.4% of participants were male.
  • 80.5% of participants were health professionals.
  • 60.2% of participants were aged 18-30 years.
  • 2.21 AOR for HCWs aged 31-40 years.
  • 4.14 AOR for HCWs aged 41-50 years.
  • 6.00 AOR for HCWs over 50 years.

Sources:

  • "Acceptance of booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine and factors influencing it among health care workers at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia". Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 2025, 33():102027. Available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2025.102027.
  • NewsRx. New COVID-19 Findings from Addis Ababa University Described (Acceptance of booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine and factors influencing it among health care workers at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. May 18, 2025; p 147.