Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among People in Pakistan: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Despite covid vaccine being accessible to millions of people around the world and efforts being made by governments to ensure vaccination of their population, certain barriers have hindered this process. One of the most difficult barriers is hesitancy towards covid vaccine. The present study explores phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy in individuals who chose to remain covid unvaccinated amidst the deadly covid pandemic. In order to delve into the beliefs, experiences and opinions of vaccine hesitant people, an interview guide was developed and in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data was organized using interpretative phenomenological analysis which included; opinions of covid unvaccinated people about covid vaccine, reasons for not getting vaccinated against covid, reasons for people to get covid vaccine according to unvaccinated individuals, Pakistani government urging people for covid vaccine, acceptance of covid vaccine in unvaccinated individual’s locality, experiences being covid unvaccinated during covid pandemic, skepticism and confusion regarding covid vaccine and role of covid vaccine in ending corona virus pandemic. Findings of this research can be used as a reference in policy making regarding public health decisions by various health organizations. Such researches can not only contribute to current work but also help shape policies related to vaccination in future endemics and pandemics.