COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy and Associated Factors among Pakistani Population

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has caused global healthcare and economic crises and mass vaccination to acquire herd immunity seem to be the only solution. Present study aimed to evaluate the intent of Pakistani population towards vaccination and to uncover the barriers associated with vaccine reluctance. This cross-sectional study included responses of 855 Pakistani residents. Respondents’ knowledge of COVID-19 infection, intent of vaccination and barriers towards vaccine refusal were evaluated. Participants were categorized on the basis of knowledge score, risk of disease and other demographic characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used for calculating frequencies and percentages, means and Chi-square test was utilized for cross-tabulation. A multinomial logistic regression model was executed to identify the predictors of vaccination intention. Significance level was set at the p-value of ? 0.05. Prevalence of vaccine refusal was 40%. COVID-19 vaccine is not Halal, negative propaganda on social media against the vaccine, discouraging advice from social circle and clerics, concerns regarding efficacy, fear of immediate and late adverse reactions were the major barriers identified towards vaccine hesitancy. Around one-third of the study population did not consider COVID-19 as a serious disease and associate it with conspiracy theory. The mean score of participants towards COVID-19 knowledge was 5.5±1.6 (range: 0-9). Having a college degree, living in an urban area, working in a healthcare field and being in a higher risk category increases the chances of vaccine acceptability.

Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Resistance and Related Fears and Misconceptions

“…12 Another study assessing hesitancy to COVID vaccine among the general population in Pakistan by Ansar et al found prevalence of vaccine refusal to be 40%, which is higher than our study. 7 Part of the reason can be geographical differences, our study was primarily conducted in Punjab while the study by Ansar et al was primarily conducted in KPK.…”

“…6 Previous studies have shown that up to 40% of the population in Pakistan is reluctant in getting the COVID-19 vaccine. 7 This number is very drastic especially when compared to developed countries like USA where refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine is present in 7%-15% of the population. 8 Myths such as the vaccine causes death and the vaccine is more harmful than the virus because it causes autism and infertility are excessively present in the Pakistani community.…”

“…8 Myths such as the vaccine causes death and the vaccine is more harmful than the virus because it causes autism and infertility are excessively present in the Pakistani community. 7 Furthermore, despite knowing the risks of the virus to human health, beliefs in conspiracy theories that have very rapidly developed lead to vaccine hesitancy by weakening trust in government agencies, healthcare personnel, and pharmaceutical companies. 9 The public's trust and confidence in immunizations is highly changeable.…”

A Nationally Representative Survey of COVID-19 in Pakistan, 2021–2022

“…Attitudes about the seriousness of COVID-19 as a health issue were related to attitudes about its inevitability; those who thought it was a serious health issue were more likely to think they would inevitably contract COVID-19. An April 2021 convenience survey in Peshawar, Pakistan, found that 66% of persons thought COVID-19 was a serious health issue ( 32 ). We found 75.9% of persons thought it was a serious health issue.…”