Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Nepali People in the UK: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Vaccination saves lives and can be an effective strategy for preventing the spread of the COVID-19, but negative attitudes towards vaccines lead to vaccine hesitancy. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in the Nepali community in the United Kingdom (UK). This qualitative study included in-depth interviews with 20 people from Nepal living in the UK. Interviews were conducted by a native-Nepali speaker and all interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English before being analysed thematically. Our study found that attitudes towards COVID-19 are generally positive. Nine overlapping themes around barriers to COVID-19 vaccination were identified: (a) rumours and mis/disinformation; (b) prefer home remedies and yoga; (c) religion restriction; (d) concern towards vaccine eligibility; (e) difficulty with online vaccine booking system; (f) doubts of vaccine effectiveness after changing the second dose timeline; (g) lack of confidence in the vaccine; (h) past bad experience with the influenza vaccine; and i) worried about side-effects. Understanding barriers to the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine can help in the design of better targeted interventions. Public health messages including favourable policy should be tailored to address those barriers and make this vaccination programme more viable and acceptable to the ethnic minority communities in the UK.

Compliant citizens, defiant rebels or neither? Exploring changing COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and decisions in Bradford, UK: Findings from a follow-up qualitative study

“…These reasons corresponded to the findings of other studies which explored vaccine acceptance, although the influence of others was more pronounced and there was more ambivalence about the vaccines' safety and effectiveness. [4][5][6] In our previous study we found that exposure to COVID-19 misinformation had led to confusion, distress and mistrust and was contributing to uncertainty in vaccine intentions. Our follow up study found that the majority of participants and those close to them had managed to overcome the tidal wave of misinformation and get the vaccine.…”

“…These reasons corresponded to the findings of other studies which explored vaccine acceptance, although the influence of others was more pronounced and there was more ambivalence about the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness. 4-6…”

“…Studies focused on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance found that people were motivated by wanting to protect themselves and others, by trust in science and the evidence of vaccines’ effectiveness, by trust in their GP and by wanting to get back to normal life after periods of social restrictions. 4-6…”

“…Studies focused on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance found that people were motivated by wanting to protect themselves and others, by trust in science and the evidence of vaccines' effectiveness, by trust in their GP and by wanting to get back to normal life after periods of social restrictions. [4][5][6] Figure 1 here Before the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, there were concerns about vaccine hesitancy and unequal uptake, due to historical patterns of low vaccine uptake. 7 In the UK, there were early indications that some population groups were more hesitant than others.…”

Compliant citizens, defiant rebels or neither? Exploring change and complexity in COVID‐19 vaccine attitudes and decisions in Bradford, UK: Findings from a follow‐up qualitative study

“…Studies focused on COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance found that people were motivated by wanting to protect themselves and others, by trust in science and the evidence of vaccines' effectiveness, by trust in their GP and by wanting to get back to normal life after periods of social restrictions. 4 , 5 , 6 …”