Psychological aspects of COVID-19 vaccine in Indian population. Are we still hesitant?

Abstract

During the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, with channelization of misinformation in several platforms that people can access, the world has witnessed a unique infodemic throughout the globe. Some knowledge helped people to alleviate not only the stigma and anxiety but also inclined them to take appropriate COVID-19 behavior; whereas, the some acted opposite and buildup an aura of negative thoughts in the community regarding the prevention and control and the efforts toward effective vaccine uptake contributing to psychological disbeliefs which in turn leading to vaccine hesitancy. In India, current vaccination program for COVID-19 needs to be communicated to not only promote vaccine acceptance but to also counter rumors related to COVID-19. The WHO has recommended all the individual governments to highlight the vaccine objection spots and that the governments, educate, and implement social awareness on the vaccination with the help of local organizations so that large proportion are covered with this safe immune program. With the emergence of new variants COVID-19 infection can be severe. “Earlier people get vaccinated the earlier people are protected”. Taking these concerns, our study will throw some light for primary care physicians on COVID-19 vaccine-related psychological attributes and hesitancy and will present pragmatic approaches to deal with scenarios related to it during the pandemic.

Keywords

• immunity
• infodemic
• mutation
• omicron
• pandemic
• sars-cov-2