Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: January | Volume: 12 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 111-116
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220116
A Study on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Bhopal
Keerthana S1, Mugdha Kamble2, Neeraj Khare3, Manju Toppo4
1Second Year PG Resident, 2Second Year PG Resident, 3Assistant Professor, 4Associate Professor,
1,2,4Department of Community Medicine, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, 3Govt. Medical College, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
Corresponding Author: Manju Toppo
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus has become a global pandemic and to overcome the pandemic crisis vaccine were launched in India. COVID-19 mass immunisation has emerged as a crucial preventive technique. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy may become a distinctive element of the pandemic's next stage. The loss of public trust in vaccines around the world is a source of concern and a serious problem for public health professionals. A study was therefore planned in Bhopal to determine whether hesitancy is present in a population and to distinguish hesitancy from other reasons why adults do not get vaccinated. The study was conducted with the objective as to assess the vaccine hesitancy in Bhopal.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the general population of Bhopal during the time period between 2oth Jan to Feb 2021. 381 participants were administered with a predesigned pretested questionnaire.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.8 years. Majority was unskilled workers, Hindu by religion and most of them were married. 57.3 % showed hesitancy for COVID vaccination. Majority had the knowledge of vaccine. Television was the major source of information. Almost 80% responded as they would continue practicing personal protective measures even after vaccination. The major reasons for hesitancy were lack of information, safety about vaccination, and side effects from the same. The public demands the proper information about the vaccine and educate the general public and communicate the important information regarding vaccinations.
Conclusion: Routine monitoring of vaccine hesitancy plays a valuable role in identifying early vaccine concerns. And adopt the strategies to address these concerns, through in-depth understanding of the nature of hesitancy, as well as who is hesitating. Given the dynamic and changing nature of vaccine hesitancy, the importance of ongoing monitoring cannot be overstated.
Key words: COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccine, SARS-COV2 vaccine, Vaccine hesitancy, Vaccine resistance, Vaccine opposition.