Dr. Kimberley Gutu

Kimberley Gutu is a public health researcher focused on vaccine uptake, hesitancy, and health communication in Southern Africa. Her work centers on understanding behavioral and structural drivers of immunization decisions, particularly among marginalized and youth populations in South Africa and Zimbabwe. She is closely associated with community-engaged and mixed-methods research that informs equitable vaccination strategies.

Through the Bambisana Study and related projects, she investigates how confidence, complacency, and convenience shape influenza and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Her research highlights the role of social media, community influencers, and tailored education in strengthening vaccine demand, while addressing mistrust, misinformation, and access barriers.

Gutu has also contributed to clinical and global vaccine safety research, including work on myasthenia gravis outcomes in critical care and participation in international collaborations advancing vaccine safety science. Her scholarship bridges clinical insight, community perspectives, and policy-relevant evidence to support resilient immunization systems.