Perceptions towards COVID-19 Vaccines and Willingness to Vaccinate in Nepal

Abstract

Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure of COVID-19 available at present, but its success depends on the global accessibility of vaccines and the willingness of people to be vaccinated. As the vaccination rollouts are increasing worldwide, it is important to assess public perception and willingness towards vaccination, so that the aim of mass vaccination will be successful. This study aimed to understand public perception towards COVID-19 vaccines and their willingness to get vaccinated in Nepal. This cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 1196 residents of Nepal in August 2021; most of the participants of this online survey were young adults (18–47 years) with university-level education. A total of 64.5% (771/1196) of the participants perceived COVID-19 vaccines to be safe and risk-free, while 68.6% (820/1196) agreed that vaccination would be efficient in the fight against this pandemic. Most of the participants (841/1196, 70.3%) disagreed that people are getting COVID-19 vaccines easily in Nepal, while they agree with the prioritization of older adults and healthcare workers for vaccination. A total of 61.1% (731/1196) of the participants had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Among the unvaccinated, 93.3% (434/465) were willing to get vaccinated when their turn came. The higher confidence of younger adults in vaccines and the vaccination process is encouraging, as that can help educate others who are hesitant or are not positive towards the idea of receiving vaccines. Dissemination of correct and current information, acquisition of enough doses of vaccines, and equitable distribution of vaccines will be required to achieve successful completion of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Nepal.

Perception and Attitude Towards COVID-19 Vaccination Among the Elderly: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…It was found that 75% of the participants believed in the vaccine's efficacy. The studies conducted in Nepal (78.4%) and China (75.8%) reported similar or higher results [27,28]. Studies conducted in Pakistan and Ethiopia showed that people's perception of vaccine effectiveness was relatively low.…”

Beyond vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Study of the importance of Behavioral and Native Factors on COVID-19 Infection and Severity

“…It seemed obvious to remind each time to observe the protective measures (wearing the mask, quarantine, remote working, hygiene, vaccination, etc.). The problem is that the average population thinks that after being vaccinated it is no longer mandatory to apply preventive measures [124]. It is true that previous studies have shown that vaccination of health care workers was associated with a substantial reduction in infections [125] or that one dose of vaccine reduces the potential for transmission by 61.0% [126], but the contamination possibility still exists.…”

The Importance of Behavioral and Native Factors on COVID-19 Infection and Severity: Insights from a Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

“…becomes obvious. The problem is that the average population thinks that after being vaccinated, it is no longer mandatory to apply preventive measures [ 103 ]. It is true that previous studies have shown that vaccination of healthcare workers is associated with a substantial reduction in infections [ 104 ] and that one dose of vaccine reduces the potential for transmission by 61.0% [ 105 ]; however, the possibility of being infected still exists.…”