Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic was one of the most devastating health pandemics in recent times disrupting the economic and social lives of billions of individuals across the globe. Study Objectives: The study sought to i) find out the knowledge levels about the Covid-19 vaccines by Kenyans. ii) establish the myths and misconceptions they held on the vaccine(s). iii) investigate the implications the myths and misconceptions on vaccine uptake. Methods: A sample size of 300 was drawn through systematic sampling from a database of 650 online contacts. A semi-structures online questionnaire was used to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and qualitative Data coded for thematic and content analysis. Results: Only 250 full-filled questionnaires were returned representing an 83% response rate. This represented 128 males (51.2%) and 122 females (49.8%) drawn from different counties in Kenya. Findings from the study show that majority of Kenyans were knowledgeable about the Covid-19 vaccine(s). The study also established that Kenyans have different myths and misconceptions and social Media outlets are the biggest transmitters of negative information on the vaccine. Lastly, the study established that these myths and misconceptions have a big impact on vaccine uptake. Discussion: The findings from this study an in tandem with other studies carried out in different parts of the world and more recently in Kenya that shows Vaccine refusal or hesitancy remains a major problem for health interventions in the face of deadly pandemics. However, there is still opportunity for policy makers to come up with clear communication on the benefits of such interventions.

Keywords

covid-19 vaccine(s), knowledge, myths and misconceptions, vaccine uptake, Kenya