Vaccination-hesitancy and vaccination-inequality as challenges in Pakistan's COVID-19 response

This study explores the mechanism for timely and equitable distribution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among the various communities in Pakistan. It examines the factors that support and/or impede peoples' access and response towards COVID-19 vaccination in Pakistan. The study uses a literature synthesis approach to examine and analyze the situation of the COVID-19 vaccination in Pakistan. The research results show "hesitancy" and "inequality" as two fundamental challenges that hinder the successful delivery of COVID-19 vaccination in Pakistan. People are reluctant to use vaccines due to conspiracy theories and religious beliefs. However, inequality, especially unequal accessibility to all social groups appears to be a more significant barrier to getting a vaccine. We argue that there is a need to mobilize community influence, social media, and mass media campaigns for public education on vaccination programs along with the engagement of religious leaders to endorse the vaccination for the masses. The area of this study is underdeveloped; thereby, future studies are recommended to investigate the possible way for equitable distribution of vaccines in multiple regions.