Assessment of Public Perceptions of Local Vaccine Manufacturing and Acceptance for Pandemic Preparedness in Nigeria
1
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria
2
Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
As efforts are being made towards local production, public acceptance of locally made vaccines is key to their success, as well as improving uptake and health system resilience¹. This study aims to assess public perceptions and trust in locally manufactured vaccines and identify key factors influencing vaccine acceptance and uptake during health emergencies in Nigeria.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and July 2025 across three geopolitical zones: North-Central, South-West, and South-South. Eligible participants were Nigerian adults aged 18 years and above residing in urban and semi-urban communities who provided informed consent and had lived in the selected communities for at least six months. Data were collected using a 24-item structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics was conducted using SPSS version 27 and significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
A total of 438 respondents participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 97.3%. The majority aged 25–34 years (41.1%), with females comprising 56.2%. Awareness of government efforts and private sector initiatives to establish local vaccine manufacturing in Nigeria was low (42.5%). More than half of the participants (52.9%) expressed low trust in locally produced vaccines, while 19.2% reported high trust. A total number of 228 (52.1%) participants were unwilling to receive a locally manufactured vaccine. The main motivators for acceptance were easier access (64.6%) and lower potential cost (49.0%), while unwillingness was mainly driven by fear of poor quality (86.8%) and lack of confidence in regulatory agencies (76.3%). Educational status (p = 0.032) and trust (p = 0.003) were associated with vaccine acceptance.
CONCLUSIONS:
Public acceptance of locally manufactured vaccines in Nigeria is low due to concerns about quality and weak regulatory trust. Strengthening regulatory credibility and building public confidence are essential in improving vaccine uptake and ensuring health system resilience during emergencies.
As efforts are being made towards local production, public acceptance of locally made vaccines is key to their success, as well as improving uptake and health system resilience¹. This study aims to assess public perceptions and trust in locally manufactured vaccines and identify key factors influencing vaccine acceptance and uptake during health emergencies in Nigeria.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and July 2025 across three geopolitical zones: North-Central, South-West, and South-South. Eligible participants were Nigerian adults aged 18 years and above residing in urban and semi-urban communities who provided informed consent and had lived in the selected communities for at least six months. Data were collected using a 24-item structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics was conducted using SPSS version 27 and significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
A total of 438 respondents participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 97.3%. The majority aged 25–34 years (41.1%), with females comprising 56.2%. Awareness of government efforts and private sector initiatives to establish local vaccine manufacturing in Nigeria was low (42.5%). More than half of the participants (52.9%) expressed low trust in locally produced vaccines, while 19.2% reported high trust. A total number of 228 (52.1%) participants were unwilling to receive a locally manufactured vaccine. The main motivators for acceptance were easier access (64.6%) and lower potential cost (49.0%), while unwillingness was mainly driven by fear of poor quality (86.8%) and lack of confidence in regulatory agencies (76.3%). Educational status (p = 0.032) and trust (p = 0.003) were associated with vaccine acceptance.
CONCLUSIONS:
Public acceptance of locally manufactured vaccines in Nigeria is low due to concerns about quality and weak regulatory trust. Strengthening regulatory credibility and building public confidence are essential in improving vaccine uptake and ensuring health system resilience during emergencies.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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