INCOME DISPARITIES AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENTIALS IN COVID-19 VACCINATION ACCEPTANCE IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic constituted one of the most significant public health emergencies of the twenty-first century, with vaccination emerging as the primary strategy for pandemic control. In Nigeria, despite substantial vaccine procurement and distribution efforts, acceptance rates varied considerably across states and population subgroups. Nasarawa State achieved 
notable success in overall vaccination coverage, ranking among the top-performing states in the national vaccination campaign. However, aggregate coverage figures mask profound disparities in vaccine acceptance shaped by income and educational differentials. This article examines the relationship between socioeconomic status, educational attainment, and COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in Nasarawa State. Drawing on primary survey data collected from 1,247 respondents across the state's 13 Local Government Areas, secondary data from the National Bureau of Statistics COVID-19 High-Frequency Phone Survey, and semi-structured interviews with health officials, community leaders, and vaccine recipients, the study developed a Socioeconomic Determinants of Vaccine Acceptance Framework. The findings indicated that household income, educational attainment, and geographic location constitute significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. Respondents with tertiary education were substantially more likely to accept vaccination compared to those with no formal education. Higher-income households demonstrated significantly greater vaccine acceptance than lowerincome households. Rural residents reported lower acceptance rates and greater barriers to access compared to their urban counterparts. The article concluded by proposing targeted interventions that address income and education-based disparities, including community-based health education programmes, mobile vaccination units for rural areas, and enhanced engagement with traditional and religious leaders to build vaccine confidence among underserved populations.