ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF COVID-19 VACCINE AMONG PATIENTS IN MEDICAL SURGICAL WARD OF FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER, OWO ONDO STATE.

COVID-19, a single-stranded RNA virus from the coronaviridae family, triggered a global pandemic in 2019. The response to this crisis involved global dissemination and mitigation measures such as social distancing, isolation, and vaccination. Despite these efforts, vaccine hesitancy among the general population has emerged as a challenge, necessitating an investigation into the perceptions of patients at the medical-surgical ward of FMC Owo. This study employs a descriptive research design, utilizing a questionnaire and a simple random sampling technique to collect primary data from 384 subjects, selected according to the study objectives and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22, and the findings are presented in tables and figures. Notably, 25.1% of respondents fell in the 18-29 age group, with 57.9% being female, and 51.2% married. The average score of 2.85 indicates a reasonable level of COVID- 19 vaccine knowledge among the respondents. Furthermore, the overall average score of 3.74 suggests a generally positive perception of the vaccine. The data reflects mixed attitudes toward vaccine acceptance, with 36.3% of parents willing to vaccinate their children and 59.9% expressing a willingness to receive the vaccine themselves. The study underscores that respondents possess adequate knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine, perceiving it as having minimal side effects and offering free administration. However, reluctance to accept vaccination for themselves or their children reveals hesitancy. Doubts also persist regarding the vaccine's long-term protective efficacy. Nursing professionals are pivotal in addressing vaccine hesitancy through the provision of accurate information and trust-building. Enhanced awareness and access to reliable information are critical for successful vaccination campaigns and pandemic control.