Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Behaviour Intentions Among The Youth In Kenya: A Vaccine Pre-Introduction Study

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Abstract Background: 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 youths may not be among the vulnerable population to adverse effects of COVID-19 but are highly susceptible to contracting the virus. 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 study design, employing a cross-sectional survey and focused group discussions across 47 counties in Urban, Peri-Urban and Rural settings. The interviewees were youths aged 18-35, registered in online platforms that included Shujaaz, Brck Moja, Aiffluence, Y Act and Heroes for Change. Quantitative data was collected using Google docs while the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were done virtually. A total of 637 interviews and 4 FGDs were done. Quantitative data was analysed using STATA version 16. Qualitative data was analyzed using MAXQDA software.Results: The findings of the study indicated that only 42% of the youths were ready to be vaccinated, 52% were not ready to be vaccinated adopting wait and see approach to what happens to those who had received the vaccine, and 6% were totally not willing to be vaccinated. The determinants of behavior intention among the youths were; the perceived effects the vaccine on health, lack of adequate information about the COVID-19 vaccine, too much conflicting information about COVID-19 vaccine from the social media, religion, education level, perceived risk of contracting the COVID-19 disease, efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, gender, trust in the ministry of health, and the belief that the COVID-19 vaccine was harmful to the populations.Conclusion: The Vaccine hesitancy among the youths was found to be 58%. The Hesitancy is higher among females, protestants, those with post-secondary education. Lack of information and concerns around vaccine safety and effectiveness were main cause of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the youths. Social media was the major source of information contributing to hesitancy. Other contributors included; low trust in the MoH, belief that mass vaccination is not helpful

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