Understanding the Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Attitude Among General Population

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the acceptance and attitude the population of the largest metropolis of Pakistan against COVID-19 vaccine.

Methodology: An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 1305 participants using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed via snowball sampling technique among the population aged 18 years and above. Study data was analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 20.0. Univariate logistics regression analysis was used to analyze the variables concerning the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy.

Result: Majority of the participants were females (96.6%), age group 18-24 years (87.9%) with more than 50% having 13 years of formal education. A large number of respondents 84.7% (n = 1105) showed willingness to get vaccinated. 62% (n = 808) agreed that COVID19 vaccine will prevent them from the COVID19 virus. The most frequent reasons identified for vaccine hesitancy among the participants were unwanted adverse effects after being vaccinated (42.8 %), rumors that there is a conspiracy behind vaccine (34.6%) and religious reasons (3.4%). Educational background and the occupation were factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Conclusion: Vaccine acceptance among the participants was remarkably high. However, a large population in Pakistan is still unvaccinated. It is important to address the hesitant individuals by providing adequate information about the vaccine and building their trust in vaccine effectiveness and safety.