Barriers and Facilitators to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among the Elderly

• Author(s): Josephine Ndulu Mutisya ; Joseph Mwangi Thigiti ; Osborn Tembu
• Paper ID: 1709521
• Page: 143-150
• Published Date: 04-07-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 1 July-2025

Abstract

Introduction: Globally as of 23rd October 2023,13.5 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered. In Africa, it is estimated that 51.8% of the total population was vaccinated while in Kenya only 27% of the eligible population was fully vaccinated. Vaccination is the mainstay of healthcare policy and a crucial element in preventing infectious diseases. The study aimed to determine the barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccine uptake among the elderly. Study Objective: To identify the barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccine uptake among the elderly in Kiambu County. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in several sub-counties in Kiambu County. A multistage cluster sampling method was used to recruit 423 participants for this study. The participants were given informed consent. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and key informant interviews were used to collect data. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among the elderly. Results: In total, 423 participants aged 60 years and above were considered in this study, 58.6% were female. Most of the participants (90%) were aware of the COVID-19 vaccine. The level of uptake of COVID-19 vaccine was 55.8%. The most common reason for taking up the vaccine was because it was free (84.3%). The statistically significant facilitators were fear of getting COVID-19, OR 0.234(95% 0.056-0.974, p-value 0.046), trusting that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective OR 0.131 (95% 0.031-0.553, p-value 0.006), being not afraid of side effects of the vaccine OR 6.872 (95% 3.651-12.938 p-value 0.000), and believing that the vaccine is safe OR 0.098 (95% 0.024-0.398, p-value 0.001). The barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake were, that vaccinated people were still getting infected (70.1%), having to walk a longer distance to the vaccination center,19 minutes vs 23 minutes, p=0.010 and fear of side effects (p=0.003). Conclusion: 55.8% of the participants have already received COVID-19 vaccine. The major barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake were fear of side effects, restricted access to immunization facilities and vaccine apathy. Perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, and perceived benefits were major facilitators of COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Keywords

COVID-19 vaccine uptake, elderly, barriers to vaccination, facilitators of vaccine uptake

Citations

IRE Journals:
Josephine Ndulu Mutisya , Joseph Mwangi Thigiti , Osborn Tembu "Barriers and Facilitators to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among the Elderly" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 1 2025 Page 143-150

IEEE:
Josephine Ndulu Mutisya , Joseph Mwangi Thigiti , Osborn Tembu "Barriers and Facilitators to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among the Elderly" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(1)