Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy: Causes, legislation and ethics

ABSTRACT

Covid-19 vaccines have now been around for quite some time and inoculation is in progress all around the world. However, some apprehensions with regards to efficacy do seem to be existing for some founded/unfounded reasons, and at the same time, a substantial reluctance (“Vaccine Hesitancy”) and/or non-acceptance (“Vaccine Refusal”) of the vaccine basedlargely on personal choice seems to be emerging as a major cause of concern. This matter of individual choice apparently has the potential of compromising success of the entire vaccination drive both qualitatively as well as quantitatively, that is;not only the desired results of near total success evade us but the expected outcome may get inordinately delayed as well. This article, while looking into historical as well as recent impediments to Vaccination (Hesitancy and Refusal), is an effort to analyze the reasons for the same and bring out some remedial measures. © 2021, Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.