To trust or not to trust

An exploratory qualitative study of personal and community perceptions of vaccines amongst a group of young community healthcare workers in Soweto, South Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID16763022
AuthorsJennifer Watermeyer (0000-0001-7918-8832, University of the Witwatersrand), Megan Scott (0000-0003-4166-1908, University of the Witwatersrand), Lethu Kapueja (0000-0002-5882-2651, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development, University of the Witwatersrand , 27 St Andrew’s Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa), Lisa J Ware (0000-0002-9762-4017, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development, University of the Witwatersrand , 27 St Andrew’s Road, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume37
Issue9
Pages1167-1176
Publication date2022-10-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Policy and Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0268-1080 • E-ISSN: 1460-2237
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/heapol/czac060
PMID35880606
OpenAlexW4287958793
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited22

As South Africa debates the implementation of mandatory vaccination policies to address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy, many adults remain unpersuaded of the need and benefits of vaccination. Several surveys suggest that this is particularly true for younger adults and for those living in low-income communities. Therefore, we sought the views of youth training to become community health workers (CHWs) as a youth group at the intersection of the community and the health system. This research was conducted in a township of South Africa, a country with a long history of political mistrust. Using semi-structured interviews and an interview guide, we explored young CHWs’ perceptions (n = 20) of vaccine hesitancy for themselves, their peers and the community. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis was undertaken. Findings suggest widespread COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in this community, especially amongst young people. Reported reasons for this hesitancy appear linked to a complex interrelated network of factors, including ‘uncertainty’ about the outcome and effectiveness of the vaccines; ‘fear’ of the vaccines, driven by a myriad of rumours and conspiracy theories within the community; a ‘lack of control’ over other people’s behaviour and a desire not to be controlled especially by the government but at the same time a resignation towards impending mandatory vaccine policies and a ‘lack of trust’ particularly in the government’s intentions with vaccine roll-out and their health messaging. While mandatory vaccination policies in several organizations have shown success, with South Africa’s complex social history and recent civil unrest, the roll-out of any mandatory vaccination policy will require careful health messaging with a focus on trust-building between communities, health systems and authorities through more personalized approaches that consider contextual nuances

Economic growth · Government (linguistics) · Health care · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy

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