The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic: Vaccination challenges in Sudan

Musa, Mohamed Babiker; Elmahi, Osman Kamal Osman; Modber, Mohamed Abdul Kareem Adam; Yagoub, Fatima Elbasri Abuelgasim Mohammed; Dafallah, Alaa; Musa, Shuaibu Saidu; Kangwerema, Allan; Nzeribe, Emmanuella; Mohamed, Alanood Elnaeem; Mohamed, Nora Alnaeem; Ullah, Irfan; Lucero‐Prisno, Don Eliseo

doi:10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100205

Cited by 5 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines in Sudan. The low vaccine acceptance in Sudan is a major barrier to implementing a successful vaccination campaign [ 15 , 19 , 20 ]. The available literature underscores that the fear of unknown side-effects is substantially linked with the low acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines in Sudan [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The low vaccine acceptance in Sudan is a major barrier to implementing a successful vaccination campaign [ 15 , 19 , 20 ]. The available literature underscores that the fear of unknown side-effects is substantially linked with the low acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines in Sudan [ 14 , 15 ]. In this context, it is imperative to inform the general public regarding real-world data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Various national and international health authorities are struggling hard to boost vaccination coverage in the country [ 10 ]. In addition to the complicated logistics of vaccine production, testing, distribution and quality assurance, the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine is a significant global problem [ 15 ]. The COVID-19 vaccine is a crucial component in the battle against COVID-19.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, the safety data on the COVID-19 vaccines is not available in Sudan, that might be another factor linked with the vaccine hesitancy in the country. Available data indicate that the lack of trust in the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines is the major factor associated with vaccine hesitancy in Sudan [ 14 , 15 ]. To the best of our search, we did not come across any study presenting the post-vaccination side-effect profile among the Sudanese population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A First Report on Side-Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines among General Population in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Mohamed

Alenazy

et al. 2023

Vaccines

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Background: The process of mass immunization against COVID-19 may be impacted by vaccine reluctance despite intense and ongoing efforts to boost vaccine coverage. The COVID-19 vaccine is a crucial component for controlling the pandemic. To the best of our knowledge, we did not come across any study presenting the post-vaccination side-effect profile among the Sudanese population. Developing strategies to improve the vaccine acceptability and uptake necessitate evidence-based reports about vaccine’s side effects and acceptance. In this regard, this study aimed at estimating the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine side-effects among the general population in Sudan. Methodology: A cross-sectional web-based quantitative study was conducted among the general population aged ≥18 years and residing in the Khartoum state of Sudan. A 30-item survey tool recorded the demographics, chronic diseases, allergy to other vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine side-effects after the first, second and booster doses. The data on the onset and duration of side-effects after each dose were also recorded. The distribution of side-effect scores after each dose of COVID-19 vaccine was compared using appropriate statistical methods. Results: A total of 626 participants were approached for this study. There was a preponderance of females (57.7%), and 19% of respondents had chronic diseases. The vaccination rate against COVID-19 was 55.8% (n = 349/626). The prevalence of side-effects after the first, second and booster doses were 79.7, 48 and 69.4%, respectively. Pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, exhaustion and fever were the common side-effects after the first and second doses, while pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache and muscle pain were frequently reported after the booster dose. Most of these side-effects appeared within 6 h and resolved within one or two days following the administration of the vaccine dose. The average side-effects scores were 4.1 ± 4.4 (n = 349), 2.2 ± 3.6 (n = 202) and 3.5 ± 4.1 (n = 36) after the first, second and booster doses, respectively. The female gender had significantly higher side-effects after primary and booster doses. The age group 18-24 years indicated higher side-effects after the first dose compared to participants with ages ranging from 31 to 40 years (p = 0.014). Patients with chronic disease indicated significantly higher (p = 0.043) side-effects compared to those without any comorbid illness. Conclusions: This study showed a high prevalence of transient COVID-19 vaccine-related side-effects after primary and booster doses. However, these side-effects waned within 48 h. Pain at the injection site was the most common local side-effect, while fatigue, fever, headache and muscle pain were frequently reported systemic side-effects. The frequency of side-effects was more profound among females, young adults and those with comorbid conditions. These findings indicate that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and have side-effects as reported in the clinical trials of the vaccines. These results aid in addressing the ongoing challenges of vaccine hesitancy in the Sudanese population that is nurtured by widespread concerns over the safety profile.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A First Report on Side-Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines among General Population in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Mohamed

Alenazy

et al. 2023

Vaccines

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“… 22 A possible attribution to these differences is likely the capital cities being the first point of distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX program in developing countries. In Sudan, healthcare professionals are given the highest priority in receiving COVID-19 doses in the first phase of distribution, intended to cover 4% of the general population, in conjunction with over-45s with chronic morbidities 21 , 24 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beliefs and barriers of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among Sudanese healthcare workers in Sudan: A cross sectional study

Elbadawi

Altayib

Birier

et al. 2022

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics

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Vaccine hesitancy is one of the major global health impedances. Due to the unprecedented developing rate, the COVID-19 vaccine engendered a high level of hesitancy worldwide. The aim of this study is to assess hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Sudan. An online-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Sudan between May and June 2021 using conventional sampling. An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to healthcare workers (HCW) through different social media platforms and 930 healthcare workers agreed to participate. Data were cleaned in excel sheet and then statistically analyzed using R software version 4.0.2. Of total participants, 67.3% of them were females. Over three-fifths of the study participants agreed that COVID-19 vaccine is important and should be mandatory. A total of 570 (61.3%) agreed that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, whilst 584 (62.8%) had concerns regarding side effects of the vaccine and 533 (57.3%) believe insufficient trials were conducted. A total of 375 (40.3%) accept vaccination absolutely, while 292 (31.4%) accept with some hesitation and only 48 (5.2%) refuse absolutely. Insufficient information about side effects (42.6%) and the vaccine (39.9%) were the most common concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Majority of Sudanese healthcare workers believed that COVID-19 vaccination should be mandatory. A high reliance on social media was observed among healthcare workers in Sudan for information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Changes in social mixing and attitudes and practices to precautionary measures in a maturing COVID-19 pandemic in six communities in Sudan: a qualitative study

Ahmed,

AbuKoura,

Ahmed

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Introduction With low COVID-19 vaccination coverage, non-pharmaceutical interventions were critical to mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic in Sudan. We explored changes in social contact patterns, risk perception, attitudes, and practices toward protective measures during an evolving COVID-19 outbreak in six illustrative communities in Sudan. Methods This qualitative study took place in six communities in five Sudanese states using focus group discussions with community members and non-participant structured observations in public spaces between March 2021 and April 2021. A total of 117 participants joined 24 group discussions. We used a two-stage thematic analysis. Results The perceived importance of compliance with individual preventative measures among those who believe in COVID-19 was higher than observed compliance with behaviors in most study sites. Adherence was consistently low and mainly driven by enforced movement restrictions. As restrictions were lifted, social contacts outside the household resumed pre-COVID-19 levels, and risk perception and individual and institutional adherence to protective measures diminished. We identified an environment that is socially and economically unsupportive of preventive practices, compounded by widespread rumours, misinformation, and mistrust in the government-led response. However, we identified new social habits that can contribute to reducing COVID-19 transmission. Conclusion The unfavourable social and economic environment, coupled with the low visibility of the pandemic and pandemic response, has likely modulated the influence of higher risk perception on adopting precautionary behaviours by individuals. Governments and non-governmental actors should increase the visibility of the pandemic and pandemic response, enforce and incentivise infection control measures in public areas, promote emerging preventive social habits, and actively track and address rumours and misinformation related to COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines.

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The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic: Vaccination challenges in Sudan

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

A First Report on Side-Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines among General Population in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

A First Report on Side-Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines among General Population in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Beliefs and barriers of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among Sudanese healthcare workers in Sudan: A cross sectional study

Changes in social mixing and attitudes and practices to precautionary measures in a maturing COVID-19 pandemic in six communities in Sudan: a qualitative study

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