Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine in Pakistan among health care workers

Asmara Malik, Jahanzeb Malik, Uzma Ishaq, Asmara Malik, Jahanzeb Malik, Uzma Ishaq

Abstract

Objective: Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine will impart a pivotal role in eradicating the virus. In Pakistan, health care workers (HCWs) are the first group to receive vaccination. This survey aimed at the level of acceptance to the COVID-19 vaccine and predictors of non-acceptance in HCWs.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study design and data were collected through 3rd December 2020 and February 14th, 2021. An English questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms and administration of affiliate hospitals along with snowball sampling for private hospitals.

Results: Out of 5,237 responses, 3,679 (70.2%) accepted COVID-19 vaccination and 1,284 (24.5%) wanted to delay until more data was available. Only 5.2% of HCWs rejected being vaccinated. Vaccine acceptance was more in young (76%) and female gender (63.3%) who worked in a tertiary care hospital (51.2%) and were direct patient care providers (61.3%). The reason for rejection in females was doubtful vaccine effectiveness (31.48%) while males rejected due to prior COVID-19 exposure (42.19%) and side effect profile of the vaccine (33.17%). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated age between 51-60 years, female gender, Pashtuns, those working in the specialty of medicine and allied, taking direct care of COVID-19 patients, higher education, and prior COVID-19 infection as the predictors for acceptance or rejection of COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this survey suggests that early on in a vaccination drive, majority of the HCWs in Pakistan are willing to be vaccinated and only a small number of participants would actually reject being vaccinated.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist associated with this publication, and there has been no significant financial support for this work.

Figures

Fig 1. Overall acceptance, acceptance after data…
Fig 1. Overall acceptance, acceptance after data review, and rejection rate among HCW’s.
Health care workers (HCW).
Fig 2. Views among genders regarding non-acceptance…
Fig 2. Views among genders regarding non-acceptance of vaccine.
Fig 3. Logistic regression analysis demonstrating predictors…
Fig 3. Logistic regression analysis demonstrating predictors for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

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