Perceptions toward Ebola vaccination and correlates of vaccine uptake among high-risk community members in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The tenth Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak (2018-2020, North Kivu, Ituri, South Kivu) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was the second-largest EVD outbreak in history. During this outbreak, Ebola vaccination was an integral part of the EVD response. We evaluated community perceptions toward Ebola vaccination and identified correlates of Ebola vaccine uptake among high-risk community members in North Kivu, DRC. In March 2021, a cross-sectional survey among adults was implemented in three health zones. We employed a sampling approach mimicking ring vaccination, targeting EVD survivors, their household members, and their neighbors. Outbreak experiences and perceptions toward the Ebola vaccine were assessed, and modified Poisson regression was used to identify correlates of Ebola vaccine uptake among those offered vaccination. Among the 631 individuals surveyed, most (90.2%) reported a high perceived risk of EVD and 71.6% believed that the vaccine could reduce EVD severity; however, 63.7% believed the vaccine had serious side effects. Among the 474 individuals who had been offered vaccination, 397 (83.8%) received the vaccine, 180 (45.3%) of those vaccinated received the vaccine after two or more offers. Correlates positively associated with vaccine uptake included having heard positive information about the vaccine (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06-1.60), the belief that the vaccine could prevent EVD (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.09-1.39), and reporting that religion influenced all decisions (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.25). Ebola vaccine uptake was high in this population, although mixed attitudes and vaccine delays were common. Communicating positive vaccine information, emphasizing the efficacy of the Ebola vaccine, and engaging religious leaders to promote vaccination may aid in increasing Ebola vaccine uptake during future outbreaks

Inclusivity in global research questionnaire.

The tenth Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak (2018–2020, North Kivu, Ituri, South Kivu) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was the second-largest EVD outbreak in history. During this outbreak, Ebola vaccination was an integral part of the EVD response. We evaluated community perceptions toward Ebola vaccination and identified correlates of Ebola vaccine uptake among high-risk community members in North Kivu, DRC. In March 2021, a cross-sectional survey among adults was implemented in three health zones. We employed a sampling approach mimicking ring vaccination, targeting EVD survivors, their household members, and their neighbors. Outbreak experiences and perceptions toward the Ebola vaccine were assessed, and modified Poisson regression was used to identify correlates of Ebola vaccine uptake among those offered vaccination. Among the 631 individuals surveyed, most (90.2%) reported a high perceived risk of EVD and 71.6% believed that the vaccine could reduce EVD severity; however, 63.7% believed the vaccine had serious side effects. Among the 474 individuals who had been offered vaccination, 397 (83.8%) received the vaccine, 180 (45.3%) of those vaccinated received the vaccine after two or more offers. Correlates positively associated with vaccine uptake included having heard positive information about the vaccine (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06–1.60), the belief that the vaccine could prevent EVD (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.09–1.39), and reporting that religion influenced all decisions (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02–1.25). Ebola vaccine uptake was high in this population, although mixed attitudes and vaccine delays were common. Communicating positive vaccine information, emphasizing the efficacy of the Ebola vaccine, and engaging religious leaders to promote vaccination may aid in increasing Ebola vaccine uptake during future outbreaks.</div

Correlates of Ebola vaccine uptake, using modified Poisson regression among community members eligible and offered vaccination during the tenth EVD outbreak, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.

Correlates of Ebola vaccine uptake, using modified Poisson regression among community members eligible and offered vaccination during the tenth EVD outbreak, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.</p

Reasons for declining vaccination among eligible but unvaccinated community members, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.

Reasons for declining vaccination among eligible but unvaccinated community members, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.</p

Sociodemographic characteristics of the surveyed community members, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.

Sociodemographic characteristics of the surveyed community members, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.</p

Ebola vaccine eligibility, uptake, and the number of offers prior to vaccine receipt, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.

Ebola vaccine eligibility, uptake, and the number of offers prior to vaccine receipt, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.</p

Map of health zones (Beni, Butembo, Mabalako) surveyed in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, March 2021.

Source:https://data.humdata.org/dataset/rdc-statistiques-des-populations. (TIFF)</p

Beliefs and attitudes^b'*' toward Ebola, the Ebola vaccine, and vaccines in general, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.

Beliefs and attitudesb'*' toward Ebola, the Ebola vaccine, and vaccines in general, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.</p

Perceptions towards routine immunizations among community members, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.

Perceptions towards routine immunizations among community members, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.</p

Positive and negative information heard about the Ebola vaccine, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.

Positive and negative information heard about the Ebola vaccine, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021.</p