COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and attitude post-initiation of vaccination drive, a cross-sectional study across Odisha

OBJECTIVES: To find the prevalence of COVID vaccine hesitancy amongst people of Odisha and reasons for the same DESIGN: Observational Study SETTING: Outpatients, inpatients, and attenders in tertiary health centers in Khorda, Tangi, and Mendhasal, Odisha, India; online data via google forms from people across the state. DURATION OF STUDY: April to June 2021 PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sampling of 450 adults aged between 18 and 60 MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 RESULTS: Hesitancy rate stands at 12.7%, with 5.7% in the urban setting and 20.9% in rural (CI 95%, P = 0.000), 3.1% amongst males and 25.4% females (CI 95% P = 0.000), and 42.6% amongst the homemakers. Main reasons for vaccine hesitancy include lack of knowledge about efficacy,fear of side effects, and testing positive despite taking the vaccine CONCLUSIONS: The near tripling of the hesitancy rates indicates a probable hindrance in stopping the spread of the infection. Family physicians have a significant role in alleviating the myths, counseling people, and managing adverse events.