Acceptance, hesitancy and refusal towards COVID-19 vaccination

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Understanding COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is crucial for public health strategies.
• Hesitancy and refusal pose significant challenges to achieving widespread immunity.
• Determinants of vaccine acceptance require further investigation in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and refusal in the general population of Pune.
• To identify key factors influencing vaccine acceptance and hesitancy.
• To explore reasons behind vaccine hesitancy and refusal.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted over six months.
• 386 community members over 18 years old visiting a tertiary care hospital were interviewed.
• A self-designed questionnaire and face-to-face interviews were used to collect data on vaccine acceptance and hesitancy.

Main Results:

• 60.8% of participants accepted the COVID-19 vaccine, while 39.2% hesitated or refused.
• Lower education levels and unemployment were significantly associated with lower vaccine acceptance.
• Concerns about side effects (58.2%) were the primary reason for hesitancy, while perceived immunity (76.1%) drove acceptance.
• Information from healthcare providers positively influenced vaccine acceptance.

Conclusions:

• Education, employment status, and reliable information sources significantly impact COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.
• Addressing concerns about side effects and combating misinformation are vital to reduce vaccine hesitancy.
• Clinical pharmacists can play a key role in enhancing vaccine acceptance through community outreach and education.