Abstract
INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has become a public health concern globally with increased numbers of cases of the disease and deaths reported daily. The key strategy for the prevention of COVID-19 disease is to enhance mass COVID-19 vaccination. However, mass vaccination faces challenges of hesitation to acceptance of the vaccine in the community. The youth may not be among the vulnerable population to severe COVID-19 disease but are highly susceptible to contracting the virus and spreading it. The aim of the study was to assess COVID-19 vaccine youth behavior intentions and their determinants in Kenya. METHODS: The study used a mixed method design, employing a cross-sectional survey and focused group discussions across 47 counties in Urban, Peri-Urban and Rural settings of Kenya. The interviewees were youths aged 18-35, registered in online platforms/peer groups that included Shujaaz, Brck Moja, Aiffluence, Y Act and Heroes for Change. Quantitative data was collected using Google forms. A total of 665 interviews were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed using STATA version 16. In this paper we report quantitative study findings. RESULTS: The findings of the study indicated that only 42% of the youth were ready to be vaccinated, with 52% adopting a wait and see approach to what happens to those who had received the vaccine and 6% totally unwilling to be vaccinated. The determinants of these behavior intentions included: the perceived adverse effects of the vaccine on health, inadequate information about the COVID-19 vaccine, conflicting information about COVID-19 vaccine from the social media, religious implications of the vaccine, impact of education level on understanding of the vaccine, perceived risk of contracting the COVID-19 disease, efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 affecting women than men and trust in the ministry of health to lead COVID-19 interventions. Significantly it was found that hesitancy is higher among females, protestants and those with post-secondary education. Lack of information and concerns around vaccine safety and effectiveness were main cause of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Social media was the major source of information contributing to hesitancy. Other contributors to hesitancy included low trust in the MoH and belief that mass vaccination is not helpful. CONCLUSION: Vaccine hesitancy remains high among the youth but the causes of it are modifiable and health systems need to have evidence based engagements with the youth to reduce vaccine hesitancy.