Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Zaid Khan
- . Syed Quibtiya Khursheed 1
- . Shabir Ahmad Dar 2
- . Naveed Nazir Shah
- . Shuja Reagu 3
- . Majid Alabdulla 3
- . Inaamul Haq 4
- . Aaliya Mohi Ud Din Azad
- . Khurshid Ahmad Dar
- . Syed Suraiya Farooq 2
- . Zaid Ahmad Wani 5
1 Department of surgery, SKIMS Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
2 Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
3 Department of mental health services, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
4 Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
5 Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India,
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy is seen, globally, as a major factor that will determine future
coronavirus disease‑19 (COVID‑19) spread and its effective management. This study aimed to
identify COVID‑19 vaccine perception, acceptance, confidence, hesitancy, and barriers among the
general population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an online survey which was developed and shared through
social media platforms among the general population of Kashmir. The survey captured demographic
data and used a validated hesitancy measurement tool. We analyzed the data using descriptive
statistics and multivariable logistic regression using Stata 15 (Stata Corp. 2017. Stata Statistical
Software: Release 15. College Station, TX, USA: Stata Corp LLC).
RESULTS: A total of 835 responses were received. Most participants were males, with females
compromising of 19.5% participants. 65.1% of participants were in the age group of 30–50, whereas
19.2% were below 30 years of age. 52.70% of respondents were willing to take the vaccine when
available, while 32.5% of respondents were unsure about their decision of inoculation. The most
cited reason for willingness to get vaccinated was an understanding of the disease and vaccination.
41.70% felt that the vaccines developed against COVID‑19 have not been fully tested; therefore,
concerns around the safety and its longer‑term side effects were the reasons cited. Public health
messaging should be tailored to address these concerns.
CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine hesitancy is a global threat undermining the control of preventable
infections. The government should take proactive steps to address the factors that may potentially
impact the benefits expected from the introduction of a COVID‑19 vaccine in the union territory.
Keywords
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