Assessments of Covid-19 Vaccine Awareness, Determinants of its Acceptance and Adverse Events following Immunization among Civil Servants in Lafia Nigeria.

• ¹, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia Nasarawa state ,

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause devastating economic and human losses. Widespread vaccination with COVID-19 vaccine remains the cornerstone of mitigating the effects of the pandemic. A prospective cross-sectional study determined the level of awareness and determinants of acceptance of COVID- 19 vaccination among civil servants in Lafia Nigeria. 
Methods: We consecutively recruited civil servants from January to July 2021. We used a structured questionnaire to collect data on knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 vaccine, adverse events and factors determining COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Analysis was done to determine independent predictors of accepting COVID-19 vaccination. Significant p-value was <0.05. 
Results: Females were 120 (46.2%). A total of 253 (97.3%) were aware of COVID- 19 vaccine availability in the state and 159 (61.2%) reported receipt of their first dose. Reasons for rejection of COVID-19 vaccine include lack of interest (31.7%), vaccine uncertainty (18.8%) and 12 (11.9%) reported adverse events following immunization AEFI. Majority (83.8%) of respondents believed COVID-19 is real. Determinants for accepting Covid-19 vaccine include knowing someone who was vaccinated, previous COVID-19 infection and being healthcare worker (p=0.006). Most (71.7%) of the respondents reported an AEFI with most (71.0%) being minor and resolved in few hours. 
Conclusions: There is high awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine in this study. Determinants of receiving COVID-19 vaccine were knowing someone who was vaccinated, previous positive test to COVID-19 and being a healthcare worker. The  common  reasons  for  rejecting  COVID-19  vaccine  were  lack  of  interest, uncertainty of outcome and reported adverse events. Our findings are potentially helpful for sensitization campaigns against COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.