Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Determinants– An Online Cross-Sectional Survey in Kerala, India

Pratibha  Dabas; Krishna JS Raj; Jossy  John; Manisha  Wadhwa; Lulu  Manoly; Raseena  PA

doi:10.5455/njcm.20211021095953

Authors

Pratibha Dabas Department of Community Medicine, Malabar Medical College, Calicut
Krishna JS Raj Department of Community Medicine, Malabar Medical College, Calicut
Jossy John Department of Community Medicine, Malabar Medical College, Calicut
Manisha Wadhwa Department of Education, Aditi Mahavidyalya, Delhi University, Bawana
Lulu Manoly Department of Community Medicine, Malabar Medical College, Calicut
Raseena PA Department of Community Medicine, Malabar Medical College, Calicut

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/njcm.20211021095953

Keywords:

Covid-19, vaccine, immunization, determinants, acceptance, hesitancy

Abstract

Background: Covid-19 vaccination threshold is key to pandemic control. This study aimed to assess the Covid-19 vaccine acceptance and determinants at Kerala, India.

Methods: A cross-sectional web- based study was conducted in Kerala, India from April-May 2021. A self-administered online questionnaire consisted of socio-demography, sources of information for Covid-19 updates, and perceptions about the Covid-19 vaccine. Analysis was done for determining the association of sociodemographic factors and Covid-19 vaccination perspectives with Covid-19 vaccine acceptance.

Results: Sources of information used for Covid-19 vaccine updates were Government sources (36%), social media (25%), mainstream media (21%), (WHO) World Health Organization (8%), doctors (5%) and peer-group (3%). The most trusted source for Covid-19 information was Government sources. Overall, the Covid-19 vaccine acceptance was 60% (n=93). The vaccine hesitancy was 40% (n=62). Covid-19 vaccine acceptance was significantly associated with healthcare profession, perceived vaccine safety and WHO or Health ministry recommendations. Covid-19 vaccine determinants were found to be vaccine safety and perception that Covid-19 vaccine was riskier than Covid-19 infection.

Conclusion: Covid-19 vaccine determinants; perceived vaccine risk and safety, need to be addressed to ensure the Covid-19 herd immunity threshold.

References

Worldometer-Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic. Available from: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ [Accessed on 29th June 2021]

India Fights Corna Covid-19. Government of India. Available from: https://www.mygov.in/covid-19/ [Accessed on 29th June 2021]

Covid-19 Vaccines Advice. World Health Organization. Available from: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel -coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines/advice. [Accessed on 20th June 2021]

WHO validates the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use and issues interim policy recommendations. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/01-06-2021-who-validates-sinovac-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use-and-issues -interim-policy-recommendations. [Accessed on 20th June 2021]

Covid-19 Vaccine. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. Available from: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ covid_vaccination/vaccination/faqs.html. [Accessed on 24th June 2021]

Mathieu E, Ritchie H, Ortiz-Ospina E, Roser M, Hasell J, Appel C, Giattino C, Rodés-Guirao L. A global database of Covid-19 vaccinations. Nat Hum Behav. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.1038/s41 562-021-01122-8. Epub ahead of print. Erratum in: Nat Hum Behav. 2021 Jun 17; PMID: 33972767.

DNA Special: Hesitant to get jabbed? Five Covid vaccine fears addressed. MSN. Available from: https://www.msn.com/enin/ health/medical/dna special hesitant to get jabbed five covid vaccine fears-addressed/ar-AAKEmim. [Accessed on 25th June 2021]

Covid-19 vaccine communication strategy. Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Government of India. Available from: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/covid_vaccination/vaccination/dist/images/documents/Covid19CommunicationStrategy2020.pdf. [Accessed on 11th June 2021]

Islam MS, Kamal A-HM, Kabir A, et al. Covid-19 vaccine rumors and conspiracy theories: The need for cognitive inoculation against misinformation to improve vaccine adherence. PLOS ONE. 2021; 16(5):e0251605.

Era Dabla-Norris, Hibah Khan, Frederico Lima, Alexandre Sollaci. Who Doesn’t Want to be Vaccinated? Determinants of Vaccine Hesitancy During Covid-19. IMF Working Paper. Asia and Pacific department. WP/21/130. May 2021. Available from: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/ 2021/05/06/Who-Doesnt-Want-to-be-Vaccinated-Determi-nants-of-Vaccine-Hesitancy-During-COVID-19-50244. [Accessed on 27th June 2021]

Amid safety concerns, vaccine hesitancy may prove a challenge in Kerala. The News Minute. Jan, 2021. Available from: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/amid-safety-conce rns-vaccine-hesitancy-may-prove-challenge-kerala-141204. [Accessed on 28th August 2021]

Sreemol Sunil, Anish K. R., Sreekutty M. J. Covid-19 vaccine acceptances and barriers to vaccination in the context of Kerala: a cross-sectional survey. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2021 Jul;8(7):3352-3358. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18203/ 2394-6040.ijcmph20212587.

Dean AG, Sullivan KM, Soe MM. OpenEpi: Open Source Epidemiologic Statistics for Public Health, Version. www.OpenEpi. com, updated 2013/04/06. Available from: http://www. openepi.com/SampleSize/SSPropor.htm. [Accessed on 15th Jan 2021]

Kuang J, Ashraf S, Das U, Bicchieri C. Awareness, Risk Perception, and Stress during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Communities of Tamil Nadu, India. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Sep 30; 17(19):7177. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17197177. PMID: 33007992; PMCID: PMC7579253.

Sallam M. Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Worldwide: A Concise Systematic Review of Vaccine Acceptance Rates. Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Feb 16; 9(2):160. doi: 10.3390/vaccines 9020160. PMID: 33669441; PMCID: PMC7920465.