Citation Information :
Kalyan G, Saini SK, Kumari B, Thakur M, Kalyan M, Singh M, Das K, Soni SL. Beliefs, Concerns, and Issues toward COVID-19 Vaccination amongst the Adult Population: A North Indian Study. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2022; 56 (4):165-170.
Background: A great apprehension persists regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination amongst the public, and there is a need to explore the same to intervene accordingly.
Objective: To explore the beliefs, concerns, and issues toward COVID-19 vaccination amongst the general public in the Northern region of India.
Materials and methods: Using a convenient sampling technique, adults were enrolled in the study. Online survey pro forma comprising information profile, beliefs, concerns, and issues related to the COVID-19 vaccine was developed and validated. The ethical clearance was taken from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The participants were provided with an online link on WhatsApp to fill out the survey pro forma with the consent form affixed to it. The self-reported data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Results: Around 60% of subjects had faith in science and vaccine. When asked about the final state of mind about vaccinating themselves and their family members, more than one-third of the participants (43.7) could not decide. Nearly 42% were willing to get vaccinated, whereas 15% denied taking the vaccine. Factors associated with the decision to take the vaccination were sex (male), place of stay (rural area), socioeconomic status (upper), and religion (Hindu).
Conclusion: Participants of the study had major concerns regarding the safety of the vaccination, probable severe complications related to it, and apprehension about the affordability of treatment in private hospitals in case of possible adverse reactions to the vaccine. Hence, it is recommended to pay special emphasis to information and education regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
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