COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, determinants of potential vaccination, and hesitancy in public: A call for effective health communication

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease rapidly spreads across the entire world in < 2 months and gravely jeopardizes the regular human routine. The medical fraternity recommends a vaccine as one of the best solutions to save the universe. However, to be effective, the population should reflect an encouraging attitude to accept it. The study aimed to measure vaccine acceptability and reason for hesitancy among the public. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight hundred and forty one adults visiting a tertiary care hospital responded to a pretested validated questionnaire on vaccine acceptability and hesitancy. The Chi-square test and independent t-test, followed by multinomial logistic regression, were used to analyze the findings. RESULTS: Overall, 53.4% (n = 445) of participants interested to take vaccine, 27.2% (n = 229) were not sure, and the remaining 19.4% (n = 163) did not intent to vaccinate. Gender (P = 0.013), information on the vaccine (P = 0.022), chances to get coronavirus disease in the next 6 months (P < 0.001), awareness on India COVID-19 vaccine (P < 0.001), Indian manufacturing company of vaccine (P < 0.001), family history of the laboratory-confirmed case (P < 0.001), and health status (P = 0.011) found a significant association with intention to vaccination (a response “yes” vs. “no” and “not sure”). Reasons for vaccine hesitancy included specific antivaccine attitudes and beliefs, a concern of fear and phobia, lack of information, and safety issues on the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: This institute-specific survey revealed that approximately every 4 in 8 people were not sure to take the vaccine, and one in five people refused to be vaccinated. The study recommends using target-based health education to understand and address vaccine-specific concerns to enhance vaccine coverage, and boost confidence among the population.