Abstract

Vaccines are one of the most effective and successful strategies employed to date to prevent and increase the population's immunity against several viral diseases. However, vaccine hesitancy among populations poses a potential danger to global health. This study focused on determining the vaccine acceptance rate and associated key determinants among veterinarians. A cross-sectional study using a web-based survey among veterinarians was conducted in the month of April 2021. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to identify key predictors for vaccine acceptance among veterinarians. A total of 305 veterinarians participated in this survey, of whom 39 respondents (12.8%) had received the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine acceptance rate among respondents was 38.3% (excluding those that have taken the vaccine). Only 37.0 % of the respondents were confident about the safety and efficacy of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine in circulation in the country. Major perceived drivers for vaccine acceptability were safety (91.8%), possible adverse reactions (85.6%) and global acceptability (75.7%). The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of vaccine acceptance increased by 2.3 times among male veterinarians than females (95% CI: 1.358-3.900; p = 0.002) in the multivariate model. In Nigeria, little is known about COVID-19 vaccine acceptance (VA) and predictors among animal healthcare providers, including veterinarians. The study found gender as a key sociodemographic predictor for VA. There is a need to address the sociodemographic determinants of vaccine hesitancy through public health efforts and increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and coverage in Nigeria.

Key words: COVID-19, Nigeria, Predictors, SARS-CoV-2, Sociodemographic, Vaccine Acceptance, Veterinarians