| 28.03.2023
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Prof Gavin George is a Programme Leader at the Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. He has a background in economics and has carried out social and behavioural research across East and Southern Africa for over 20 years. This work has been undertaken for UN agencies, governments and funding entities, among others.
Dr Phiwe Nota is a Postdoctoral Fellow at HEARD. Her academic training and research experience have provided her with an excellent background in multiple social science disciplines, including psychology, health promotion, communications, and cultural studies. Nota has worked on several qualitative studies; these include exploring women’s preferences for HIV prevention technologies, psychosocial support for vulnerable young people, policy implementation and the development of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nota assisted in managing a COVID-19 vaccine study among healthcare workers in South Africa to understand healthcare workers’ vaccine acceptance and hesitancy behaviours.
ABOUT THE WEBINAR
Herd immunity through vaccination has been identified as an integral part of controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. However, literature highlights vaccine hesitancy as a public health threat, which also occurs among healthcare workers (HCW). HCW are a priority group in the COVID-19 vaccine programme as they are not only at increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 and transmitting the virus, but they also have a potentially powerful influence on patient vaccination decisions. Maintaining confidence in COVID-19 vaccinations largely hinges on patients and HCW interactions, with vaccinated HCWs more likely to recommend vaccination to others. There is a dearth of research and published reports on HCW’s vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Africa. Understanding HCWs’ views and attitudes towards vaccination is crucial to the development of evidence-based campaigns aimed at promoting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. This study is also expected to reveal valuable lessons for future epidemics.
This study had two primary aims; identify reasons why HCWs have decided to accept or forgo COVID-19 vaccination, along with booster doses, and determine the role of HCWs in actively promoting vaccination or driving vaccine hesitancy among patients and the broader community. At this seminar we provides insights following analysis of over 7000 HCWs who participated in this study.
ZOOM INVITATION INFORMATION
Date: 12th of April 2023
Time: 10:00-11:00
Zoom Link: https://ukzn.zoom.us/j/98858999277?pwd=NjQyVmNGdzc4TjN6MGQ1cUJCYS9Rdz09
Meeting ID: 988 5899 9277
Passcode: 945561