Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and its related factors among general population of Islamabad, Pakistan

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the proportion of individuals hesitant to COVID-19 vaccination amongst general population in Pakistan.

Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study.

Place and duration: Islamabad from September 2021 to September 2022.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 97 participants recruited by convenient sampling. Data were collected from market and malls of Islamabad while excluding health care professionals and auxiliaries through interviews using self-developed questionnaires.

Results: The data were compiled by using SPSS Version 23.0. The study revealed certain peculiar trends, where out of 97 respondents, individuals aged more than 28 years in undergraduate or postgraduate education programs proved more hesitant to vaccination. Most common reason was fear of side effects (61.7%). However, a decrease in hesitancy rate from initial hesitant 54.6% to still hesitant 22.68% was observed among certain individuals. Most and least common vaccines received were Sinovac 33% and AstraZeneca 2.1% respectively.

Conclusion: It is inferred that there is a decline in hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination from initial days till date. But still remarkable number of participants are reluctant to get vaccination mostly due to fear of its side effects. With awareness program and focused strategy this can be further reduced; leading to eradication of misconceptions and enhanced vaccine compliance.