Acceptance of covid-19 vaccine among the healthcare providers in India

Abstract

Background: By increasing immunity, the corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccine is expected to reduce the rate of infection and severity of infection, as well as the rate of hospitalisation. Healthcare providers (HCPs) can provide a good example when it comes to their health habits. HCPs are believed to have the best vaccine acceptance rates because they are open-minded and informed. By concentrating on COVID-19 vaccine attitudes among HCPs in India, the current study gives a clear picture of vaccine acceptability. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study approach was used. Participants in the study gave their informed permission. Snowball sampling was employed to spread the survey around social media platforms (mostly WhatsApp groups and email IDs). The survey was open from April 1 through April 30, 2021, and a total of 316 responses were received. SPSS software, version 25, was used for statistical analysis (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The participants’ average age was 32.8 ± 9.7, with 57% of them being male. 16.5% of the 316 individuals had a history of chronic illness. 40.5% had ever experienced COVID-19 symptoms, and 24.1% had been diagnosed with COVID-19 while on duty. Only 16.5% strongly agreed that they could get COVID-19 in the near future, and 48.1% disputed that obtaining COVID-19 infection would make them very unwell. Only 40.5% of participants were concerned about the possible side effects of the vaccine, while 63.2% were not concerned about the possible side effects of the vaccine. Only 39.2% were concerned about the affordability (high price) of vaccines. The majority (95%) of participants agreed to be vaccinated when sufficient information was provided, and only 31.7% agreed to be vaccinated if they were vaccinated free of charge. Conclusion: Due to the high level of current willingness among healthcare professionals to accept COVID-19 vaccines, these data may not be available to the general public. Understanding the complex and interrelated factors that influence vaccination decisions and the determinants of vaccine hesitancy in a particular population is essential to inform interventions to improve immunization coverage.