Assessment of indian healthcare personnel awareness, attitude, and perception toward COVID-19 vaccine - A cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic is the most daunting challenge for humankind in the current scenario. Healthcare personnel (HCPs) being at forefront dealing with pandemic, have been prioritized to get inoculated against COVID-19. However, literature has limited information regarding HCPs intention to get vaccinated and their concerns regarding the same. Therefore, this study was done to assess Indian HCPs awareness, attitude, and perception toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Materials and Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted using the convenience sampling method. A validated questionnaire was designed in English and was mailed to all the participants through link of Google form and also through social media platforms. A total of 815 HCPs responses were obtained. Results: Of the 815 responses 452 were willing for the COVID-19 vaccine. Five hundred and eighty-three HCPs have shown trust in the Science and Ministry of Health for the development of safe and effective vaccines. Four hundred and sixty-one of HCPs were of the opinion that India is going slow on the vaccination drive and 620 of them feel the need to accelerate the drive. Conclusions: High acceptance and low hesitancy for COVID-19 vaccine demands increased vaccine coverage by Indian HCPs. Addressing this demand requires possible intervention by the participation of the private sector which will help to accept the national vaccination program to a wider scale, thereby combating the future wave of the pandemic. © 2022 Journal of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences University ;Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.