Abstract
Several studies have reported about challenges that were faced in combating COVID-19, however, age-specific challenges that led to vaccination hesitancy provide valuable information that may be used to tackle this issue if another pandemic happens in the future. Here we report that a combination of factors influenced vaccination hesitancy amongst the youth in Mariveni Village, in Greater Tzaneen municipality in Limpopo. The focus was on youths aged between of 18 to 24 years old. A cross-sectional study design was used, with a sample of 308. Data analysis was conducted using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. The data analysis included frequencies, summary statistics, cross tabulations and Chi-Square tests of independence. Results of the study shows that 62% of the participants vaccinated for COVID-19 and amongst those who vaccinated were pushed to do so to conform to regulations imposed by schools and employers. However, there were youths who got vaccinated to prevent being infected and spreading the disease. Other reasons were also assessed that may have influenced vaccination willingness amongst the youth of Mariveni Village. A high number of respondents (116, 61.4%) received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, and the remaining 73 (38,6%) received the Pfizer vaccine.