# COVID-19 pandemic reclassification and implications for continuing uptake of COVID-19 vaccination: The case of Savannah Region, Ghana, 2023

## TL;DR

This study explores how reclassifying the COVID-19 pandemic affected vaccination willingness in Ghana's Savannah Region, finding that targeted communication is needed to address hesitancy.

## Contribution

The study identifies factors influencing vaccine acceptance post-pandemic reclassification in a specific Ghanaian region.

## Key findings

- High willingness to accept vaccination was observed, with most respondents encouraging neighbors to vaccinate.
- Educated and urban residents showed lower vaccine acceptance.
- Advocacy roles were more accepted when linked to incentives.

## Abstract

•COVID-19 pandemic reclassification has significant implications for vaccine uptake.•Low vaccine acceptance was observed among the educated and urban inhabitants.•Targeted communication strategies are required to improve uptake.•Volunteerism is declining; acceptance of advocacy roles seems to be driven by incentives.

COVID-19 pandemic reclassification has significant implications for vaccine uptake.

Low vaccine acceptance was observed among the educated and urban inhabitants.

Targeted communication strategies are required to improve uptake.

Volunteerism is declining; acceptance of advocacy roles seems to be driven by incentives.

This study assessed the willingness of Ghanaians to accept COVID-19 vaccination following the pandemic reclassification. The findings are envisaged to facilitate implementation of contextual strategies to sustain the COVID-19 vaccination drive and avert case surges.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three districts (North Gonja, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, and West Gonja) of the Savannah Region using an electronic questionnaire to interview respondents on willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccinations following the pandemic reclassification. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors associated with continuing COVID-19 vaccination uptake.

Respondents who would advocate for COVID-19 vaccination were more likely to accept it (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 8.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.18-11.41). Residing in an urban community (AOR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.65-0.83) or having secondary education (AOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46-0.89) was associated with reduced odds of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance.

The willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccination was high among the respondents, and the majority would encourage their neighbors to receive vaccination. However, targeted approaches are required to address vaccine hesitancy among specific subpopulations, including urban communities and those with secondary-level education.