Work

Factors affecting vaccination demand in Indonesia: a secondary analysis and multimethods national assessment

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Vaccine hesitancy remains a major barrier to immunisation coverage worldwide. We explored influence of hesitancy on coverage and factors contributing to vaccine uptake during a national measles-rubella (MR) campaign in Indonesia. DESIGN: Secondary analyses of qualitative and quantitative data sets from existing cross-sectional studies conducted during and around the campaign. METHODS: tests for associations. The qualitative assessment employed three parallel national and regional studies. Deductive thematic analysis examined factors for acceptance among caregivers, health providers and programme managers. RESULTS: Coverage data were reported from 6462 health facilities across 395 districts from 1 August to 31 December 2018. The average district coverage was 73%, with wide variation between districts (2%-100%). One-third of districts fell below 70% coverage thresholds. Sixty-two of 395 (16%) districts paused the campaign due to hesitancy. Coverage among districts that never paused campaign activities due to hesitancy was significantly higher than rates for districts ever-pausing the campaign (81% vs 42%; p<0.001). Precampaign adequacy of district immunisation programmes did not explain coverage gaps (p=0.210). Qualitative analysis identified acceptance enablers including using digital health monitoring and feedback systems, increasing caregiver knowledge and awareness, making immunisation social norm, effective cross-sectoral collaboration, conducive service environment and positive experiences for mothers and children. Barriers included misinformation diffusion on social media, halal-haram issues, lack of healthcare provider knowledge, negative family influences and traditions, previous poor experiences and misinformation on adverse events. CONCLUSION: Barriers to vaccine uptake contributed to coverage gaps during national MR campaign in Indonesia. A range of supply-related and demand-related strategies were identified to address hesitancy contributors. Advancing a portfolio of tailored multilevel interventions will be critical to enhance vaccine acceptance.

Source: BMJ Open

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058570