A Global Map of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Rates per Country: An Updated Concise Narrative Review

Abstract

The delay or refusal of vaccination, which defines vaccine hesitancy, is a major challenge to successful control of COVID-19 epidemic. The huge number of publications addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy necessitates periodic review to provide a concise summary of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates worldwide. In the current narrative review, data on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates were retrieved from surveys in 114 countries/ territories. In East and Southern Africa (n = 9), the highest COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was reported in Ethiopia (92%), while the lowest rate was reported in Zimbabwe (50%). In West/ Central Africa (n = 13), the highest rate was reported in Niger (93%), while the lowest rate was reported in Cameroon (15%). In Asia and the Pacific (n = 16), the highest rates were reported in Nepal and Vietnam (97%), while the lowest rate was reported in Hong Kong (42%). In Eastern Europe/Central Asia (n = 7), the highest rates were reported in Montenegro (69%) and Kazakhstan (64%), while the lowest rate was reported in Russia (30%). In Latin America and the Caribbean (n = 20), the highest rate was reported in Mexico (88%), while the lowest rate was reported in Haiti (43%). In the Middle East/North Africa (MENA, n = 22), the highest rate was reported in Tunisia (92%), while the lowest rate was reported in Iraq (13%). In Western/Central Europe and North America (n = 27), the highest rates were reported in Canada (91%) and Norway (89%), while the lowest rates were reported in Cyprus and Portugal (35%). COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates ≥60% were seen in 72/114 countries/territories, compared to 42 countries/territories with rates between 13% and 59%. The phenomenon of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy appeared more pronounced in the MENA, Europe and Central Asia, and Western/ Central Africa. More studies are recommended in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia to address intentions of the general public to get COVID-19 vaccination.

Attitudes and Determinants of Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19 among the General Population of Cyprus: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

“…For example, since February 2022, Austria became the first European country to enforce a law making vaccination against COVID-19 compulsory for all citizens over 14 years of age [ 14 ], while several other countries have introduced vaccination mandates for specific population sub-groups, such as healthcare providers [ 15 , 16 , 17 ], public sector employees and employees working in large companies [ 14 , 18 ], school staff, police officers/firefighters/soldiers, and the elderly [ 14 ]. In the Republic of Cyprus, where the current study was conducted, an intense vaccination campaign resulted in 60% of adults being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (slightly lower than the EU/EEA average) [ 13 ], yet no vaccine mandates had been implemented at the time of publication of the current article, as the general public has strongly opposed such approaches and remains highly skeptical regarding COVID-19 vaccination [ 19 ].…”

Contrasting Association Between COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Mental Health Status in India and Saudi Arabia—A Preliminary Evidence Collected During the Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Irrespective of economic status, vaccine hesitancy has been noted in mass vaccination campaigns across low-, middle-, and high-income countries ( 17 – 19 ). Recent studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is highest among the Middle East and North African countries, Europe and Central Asia, Western and Central Africa ( 20 ). Among African countries, Cameroon, Senegal, and Liberia had the highest vaccine hesitancy due to lower trust in manufacturing companies ( 21 , 22 ).…”

Community Engagement to support COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake: A living systematic review protocol

“…The updated version of the same review found that in East and Southern Africa (n = 9), the highest COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was in Ethiopia (92%) and the lowest in Zimbabwe (50%). In West/Central Africa (n = 13), Niger (93%) had the highest rate, and Cameroon (15%) the lowest (2). Among health workers, Israel reported the highest COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate at 78.1%, while a survey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo indicated a rate of 27.7% (1).…”