Vaccination Hesitancy On Introduction Of COVID 19 Vaccine In Pakistan: A Web-Based Cross Sectional Study April 2021

Abstract

Background: Vaccination against COVID-19 is one of the control measures for an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine acceptance is known to be low in Pakistani population, we identified the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy (VH) for COVID-19 at the time of first introduction of this vaccine for elderly and health care workers. Methods: An online survey was launched using a google form during March to April 2021 to assess VH in adult (> 18 years) Pakistani population. The survey form determined VH individuals who declined to questions on getting vaccinated and maintained a perspective of reluctance to vaccinate. In addition to sociodemographic characteristics, observation of standard precautions, and sources of information on COVID-19 vaccine were inquired. Results: Of the 278 responses 80% of the study population was less than 45 years of age, 68% were males, 91% had 16 or more years of education, 39% were in health care profession, 81% reported consistent use of face masks in public places, 68% sanitized hands each time, 35% always avoided social gatherings, 24% had received vaccination, 20% had suffered from COVID-19, and 45.7% were vaccine hesitant. At multivariable level, being health care worker, increasing mean precautionary score, not being vaccinated against COVID-19 and those with concerns for vaccine safety were the contributing factors for VH. Participants who presumed COVID-19 vaccine was safe were 90% less hesitant to get COVID-19 vaccine (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio: 0.1; 95% CI 0.09, 0.29) than who were uncertain on vaccine safety.Conclusion: Reliable safety information on COVID-19 vaccine and trust building influenced VH, to mass vaccinate Pakistani population to control the pandemic.

Willingness and Perceptions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose in Pakistani Vaccinated Population: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…The vaccination was subsequently rolled out in a diminishing age sequence or decreasing risk of acquiring infection and by the 25th of August 2021, 6.3% of Pakistan's population had been fully vaccinated, with 10.8% having been partially vaccinated (5). The percentage of fully vaccinated population later increased to 36% by 25 January 2022 with provision of over 1.7 billion doses (6), which included COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese Sinopharm, Sinovac, CanSinoBio, Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac), mRNA-1273 (Moderna), and ChAdOx1-S/nCoV-19 (Astra Zeneca) have been administered (7).…”

“…South Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and the Maldives, in particular, are diverse in terms of demographics, religion, and culture and are deeply afflicted by income disparities, poor literacy rates, and health-related issues, which are contributing factors of vaccine hesitancy ( 17 ). In addition, false religious beliefs and the dissemination of inaccurate information by influential figures, social media, friends, and family, instill confusion and fear regarding vaccines ( 6 ). As a result, vaccine acceptance is substantially lower in Muslim-majority nations, such as Kuwait and Jordan where the vaccine acceptance rates were as low as 23 and 28%, respectively, as reported by Sallam ( 22 ).…”