COVID-19 pandemic reclassification and implications for continuing uptake of COVID-19 vaccination: The case of Savannah Region, Ghana, 2023

Objectives

This study assessed the willingness of Ghanaians to accept COVID-19 vaccination following the pandemic reclassification. The findings are envisaged to facilitate implementation of contextual strategies to sustain the COVID-19 vaccination drive and avert case surges.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts (North Gonja, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, and West Gonja) of the Savannah Region using an electronic questionnaire to interview respondents on willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccinations following the pandemic reclassification. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors associated with continuing COVID-19 vaccination uptake.

Results

Respondents who would advocate for COVID-19 vaccination were more likely to accept it (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 8.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.18-11.41). Residing in an urban community (AOR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.65-0.83) or having secondary education (AOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46-0.89) was associated with reduced odds of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance.

Conclusions

The willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccination was high among the respondents, and the majority would encourage their neighbors to receive vaccination. However, targeted approaches are required to address vaccine hesitancy among specific subpopulations, including urban communities and those with secondary-level education.