Vaccination hesitancy among women of reproductive age in resource-challenged settings: a cause for public health concern

Pan Afr Med J. 2021 Apr 7:38:336. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.336.28953. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Women of reproductive age are a key population for the control of COVID-19 owing to their levels of socio-economic activities and central role in the upkeep of stable families. Therefore, adequate vaccination uptake in this population is critical. However, this may be negatively affected by circulating rumours regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and subfertility and pregnancy and breastfeeding concerns that have circulated widely on diverse social media. Urgent public health interventions are required to deal with vaccination hesitancy and promote uptake in this key population. This calls for concerted, multidisciplinary and multistakeholder consultative public health forums, public health research and action in the shortest possible period.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; hesitancy; vaccines; women of reproductive age.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 / psychology
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Public Health*
  • Social Media
  • Vaccination / psychology
  • Vaccination Refusal / psychology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines