Acceptance and Attitudes towards Covid-19 Vaccines: A Cross-Sectional Study from India

Abstract

ABSTRACT: COVID-19 is a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 – 2 that caused a devastating impact and has affected human population globally. The mitigation measures to impede and contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease included lockdowns, social distancing, and use of masks, hand sanitization & other basic hygiene practices. Administration of vaccines was considered the most effective strategy to reduce the risk of the disease. Several vaccines developed against multiple variants of Coronavirus to combat the dreadful disease. The project was taken with the objective to know the perceptions of people about the COVID-19 vaccines and was intended to evaluate the awareness, attitude, and factors determining their acceptance or hesitancy towards the vaccine among the Indian population. This study was conducted using a snowball sampling technique employing a cross-sectional and web-based online survey. A self-administered questionnaire was prepared and circulated among the general Indian population and feedback was collected and analyzed on knowledge and awareness, attitudes, and perceptions about COVID-19 vaccines. A total of 1,507 respondents from different states of India have participated in the survey. A considerable percentage of the population approximately 90% was fully vaccinated due to concerted efforts of Government authorities and health officials. The majority of the people were hesitant and unsure to administer booster doses of vaccines. The results suggested that the majority of the Indian population had good knowledge and awareness about Covid 19 vaccines and had a very positive attitude and acceptance towards vaccines but showed a lack of interest towards booster doses. Hence, various strategies need to be formulated to update the information to the public through awareness programs and their effective implementation.