Abstract

Background: Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) prevent cholera and save lives. Given the recent 2024 country-wide cholera epidemic in Zambia, we determined self-reported OCV uptake, acceptance, and confidence among adults living in a high-risk, cholera-prone township in Zambia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April to August 2024, involving 385 randomly selected adult participants residing in Kanyama township of Lusaka, Zambia. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and statistically analysed. Results: Self-reported uptake of at least one dose of the OCV was 18%, with the majority, 315 (82%), reporting being unvaccinated against cholera. Among those unvaccinated, vaccine acceptance was less than 10% (95% CI: 6.8 to 13.7), with higher rates reported among women than men (p = 0.002). Despite this, the majority (210, 84.3%) expressed confidence in the vaccination programme. Those knowledgeable about OCV were twice as likely to get vaccinated (aOR= 2.60, 95% CI: 1.19 to 5.68). Knowledge, attitude, and perception were associated with OCV uptake. Conclusions: Self-reported OCV uptake and acceptance were low in a high-risk cholera-prone township in Zambia. Community education on the benefits of the vaccine is urgently needed to enhance confidence and attitudes towards the OCV and improve vaccination rates in future.