COVID-19 Vaccination and Gaps in India

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Sociology

Background:

• Vaccine skepticism, socioeconomic status, and multidimensional deprivation significantly impact COVID-19 vaccination rates in India.
• Preliminary findings indicate a substantial negative effect of COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns on immunization uptake.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the key determinants of COVID-19 vaccination coverage in India.
• To analyze the influence of vaccine skepticism, socioeconomic factors, and digital access on vaccination rates, with a focus on gender disparities.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the daily Crucial Subsets Survey (CSS) conducted on Facebook for participant recruitment.
• Collected data on behavior, attitudes toward preventive measures, economic consequences, and critical indicators, integrating them with official reporting.

Main Results:

• A 1% increase in vaccine skepticism correlates with a 30% drop in vaccination coverage.
• Higher multidimensional poverty is linked to lower COVID-19 vaccine coverage; a one-unit rise in the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) decreases immunization rates by approximately 50%.
• Gender influences vaccination rates: male internet access positively correlates with coverage, while female internet access negatively correlates, highlighting the digital divide's impact on accessing vaccination platforms like COWIN.

Conclusions:

• Government vaccination information strategies must prioritize reaching women.
• Public awareness campaigns via media and community outreach are essential to encourage female immunization and increase uptake at vaccination clinics.