Abstract:Developing countries like Pakistan have previously suffered from barriers to acceptance of vaccination by the public because of financial and belief barriers. This study aims to explore these beliefs and highlight concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy in the general population of Pakistan since they are a hindrance to an effective coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) immunization in the country. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 1,778 participants from all four provinces of Pakistan. Results from the… Show more
“…An online survey study conducted during January-February 2021, with 1778 participants showed an overall COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 72%. 75 An earlier online study conducted during September-October 2020 with 883 respondents showed a similar acceptance rate of 70.8% for COVID-19 vaccination. 76 The acceptance rates were also close to those in the study by Solís Arce et al that used phone interviews in a sub-national sample (76.1% during July-September 2020, that declined to 66.5% during September-October 2020).…”
The delay or refusal of vaccination, which defines vaccine hesitancy, is a major challenge to successful control of COVID-19 epidemic. The huge number of publications addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy necessitates periodic review to provide a concise summary of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates worldwide. In the current narrative review, data on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates were retrieved from surveys in 114 countries/ territories. In East and Southern Africa (n = 9), the highest COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was reported in Ethiopia (92%), while the lowest rate was reported in Zimbabwe (50%). In West/ Central Africa (n = 13), the highest rate was reported in Niger (93%), while the lowest rate was reported in Cameroon (15%). In Asia and the Pacific (n = 16), the highest rates were reported in Nepal and Vietnam (97%), while the lowest rate was reported in Hong Kong (42%). In Eastern Europe/Central Asia (n = 7), the highest rates were reported in Montenegro (69%) and Kazakhstan (64%), while the lowest rate was reported in Russia (30%). In Latin America and the Caribbean (n = 20), the highest rate was reported in Mexico (88%), while the lowest rate was reported in Haiti (43%). In the Middle East/North Africa (MENA, n = 22), the highest rate was reported in Tunisia (92%), while the lowest rate was reported in Iraq (13%). In Western/Central Europe and North America (n = 27), the highest rates were reported in Canada (91%) and Norway (89%), while the lowest rates were reported in Cyprus and Portugal (35%). COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates ≥60% were seen in 72/114 countries/territories, compared to 42 countries/territories with rates between 13% and 59%. The phenomenon of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy appeared more pronounced in the MENA, Europe and Central Asia, and Western/ Central Africa. More studies are recommended in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia to address intentions of the general public to get COVID-19 vaccination.
“…An online survey study conducted during January-February 2021, with 1778 participants showed an overall COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 72%. 75 An earlier online study conducted during September-October 2020 with 883 respondents showed a similar acceptance rate of 70.8% for COVID-19 vaccination. 76 The acceptance rates were also close to those in the study by Solís Arce et al that used phone interviews in a sub-national sample (76.1% during July-September 2020, that declined to 66.5% during September-October 2020).…”
The delay or refusal of vaccination, which defines vaccine hesitancy, is a major challenge to successful control of COVID-19 epidemic. The huge number of publications addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy necessitates periodic review to provide a concise summary of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates worldwide. In the current narrative review, data on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates were retrieved from surveys in 114 countries/ territories. In East and Southern Africa (n = 9), the highest COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was reported in Ethiopia (92%), while the lowest rate was reported in Zimbabwe (50%). In West/ Central Africa (n = 13), the highest rate was reported in Niger (93%), while the lowest rate was reported in Cameroon (15%). In Asia and the Pacific (n = 16), the highest rates were reported in Nepal and Vietnam (97%), while the lowest rate was reported in Hong Kong (42%). In Eastern Europe/Central Asia (n = 7), the highest rates were reported in Montenegro (69%) and Kazakhstan (64%), while the lowest rate was reported in Russia (30%). In Latin America and the Caribbean (n = 20), the highest rate was reported in Mexico (88%), while the lowest rate was reported in Haiti (43%). In the Middle East/North Africa (MENA, n = 22), the highest rate was reported in Tunisia (92%), while the lowest rate was reported in Iraq (13%). In Western/Central Europe and North America (n = 27), the highest rates were reported in Canada (91%) and Norway (89%), while the lowest rates were reported in Cyprus and Portugal (35%). COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates ≥60% were seen in 72/114 countries/territories, compared to 42 countries/territories with rates between 13% and 59%. The phenomenon of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy appeared more pronounced in the MENA, Europe and Central Asia, and Western/ Central Africa. More studies are recommended in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia to address intentions of the general public to get COVID-19 vaccination.
“…During the initial vaccination campaigns, varying degrees of vaccine hesitancy were reported across the globe given the diverse social and behavioral influences ( 18 ). Fear of the side effects, preconceived notions about the vaccine's ineffectiveness and belief in natural immunity were some of the leading causes of unwillingness to receive initial doses of the COVID- 19 vaccine ( 19 , 20 ). According to a cross-sectional study conducted in China ( 15 ), concerns regarding vaccine safety appeared to be a significant barrier to vaccination uptake, whereas, in Poland, side effects due to previous doses were a leading cause of hesitancy for boosters ( 21 ).…”
ObjectivesThis study was conducted to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine booster dose willingness and identify predictors and factors of willingness and hesitance in the vaccinated population of Pakistan.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey was undertaken between January and February 2022 to highlight the public perceptions regarding the COVID-19 booster dose and evaluate the willingness to get the additional dose. Demographic information and booster dose willingness were recorded through the questionnaire. Additionally, a 5-point Likert scale was employed to explore fears and beliefs regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. Univariate and multivariate regression was performed to identify booster dose willingness and hesitance factors.ResultsOf the 787 respondents, 69.6% were females, 75.3% fell in the 18–30 years age group, 53.5% were university students or had a Bachelor's degree. Overall, a 77.8% booster dose willingness was reported. Participants showed absence or low fear levels associated with a booster dose (47.3%). 60.1% agreed it was safe to receive an additional vaccine dose, with 44.1% agreeing that boosters are effective against coronavirus variants. Independent predictors of willingness included the absence of comorbidities, whereas not being willing to pay for the booster dose was a predictor of hesitance.ConclusionThis study showed a suboptimal willingness level of booster dose uptake among the vaccinated Pakistani population. Public health policymakers must undertake necessary awareness campaigns to strategize vaccination drives and dispel myths.
“…Lastly, arranging broadcast sessions with medical professionals can help by spreading awareness regarding the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines and demonstrating the minimal side effects that they may cause. The importance of this action is proved by a cross-sectional study performed in Pakistan which showed that 44% of their participants agreed to get vaccinated for COVID-19 if recommended by a physician [ 28 ].…”
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