Abstract

ATTITUDE TOWARDS COVID 19 VACCINE SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY AND PERCEIVED INTANGIBLE NEEDS AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN ASSAM: A POPULATION BASED SURVEY

Dr. Antarika Gogoi, MDS* and Dr. Aneesh Ganguly, MDS

ABSTRACT

Background: Given the unprecedented times, vaccines are the only hope; but the speeding up of the conventional process of approval of covid-19 vaccine or the overlapping of the phases of clinical trial has raised doubts regarding the credibility of covid-19 vaccine and has led to increased hesitance to participate in the human trials. Objectives: The objectives of our study were to assess: a) the knowledge, attitudes of providers regarding administration of vaccine safety, schedules, cold chain storage of vaccines, recording vaccine doses administered, and vaccine management, AEFI reporting, acceptability of responsibility to administer covid-19 vaccine; and b) attitude of public towards the acceptability and reasons for covid-19 vaccine hesitancy. Methods: Descriptive study conducted using questionnaire consisting of 14 questions sent via email. Results: 12% of the population demonstrated reluctance towards acceptance of covid-19 vaccine even if it were provided free of cost; and also strongly believed that it should not be made mandatory but rather be a choice of free will. 58.8% believed that vaccines should be provided in public hospitals. Conclusion: Awareness programmes would enable practitioners and HCWs to administer vaccines without fear of retaliation or violence in case of any untoward event and help combat misinformation.

Keywords: Vaccine Safety, COVID 19 vaccine, Vaccine hesitance