A qualitative study of Nigerian community members awareness of Mpox and their willingness and barriers to receiving the Mpox vaccine

Two vaccines, the JYNNEOS and ACAM 2000 have been approved for use for Mpox protection, however vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal poses a significant challenge in its uptake. This study explored participants’ awareness of Mpox, willingness, and barriers to receiving the approved Mpox vaccines when they become available in Nigeria. This was a qualitative cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. A total of 16 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 64 in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted by trained research assistants among community members in four states in Nigeria (Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers states) between October 1 and November 30, 2023. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed before thematic analysis was conducted. One hundred and sixty-four persons, comprising 71 males and 93 females, participated in this study. The anticipated rollout of the Mpox vaccine in Nigeria elicited mixed reactions; while some participants expressed willingness to be vaccinated, others expressed their concerns about the vaccine side effects, vaccine safety, and their mistrust of new vaccines. There were also reports about physical access and financial cost being a barrier to receiving the Mpox vaccine. The study highlights the critical need for more community-based public health education campaigns to enhance awareness and correct misconceptions about Mpox. Effective communication strategies that address specific community issues and emphasize vaccine safety are important for increasing vaccination uptake and controlling the spread of Mpox in Nigeria.