Assessment of Attitude and Perception of COVID 19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Rural and Urban Areas of Maharashtra, India

Background: COVID 19 pandemic has afflicted the whole world. Older age group and people with comorbidities are on major risk to COVID 19. Around 200 vaccines are being developed around the world in hope to return the life to normal. On January 3, 2021, India’s drug regulator approved two COVID 19 vaccines in India- Covaxin and Covisheild. COVID 19 vaccines are a great boon for the public health but they have posed new challenges amongst the healthcare workers as well as general population. Hesitancy towards these vaccines is one such significant botheration to public health.

Objectives: To evaluate the attitude and perception of COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy amongst the different age groups i.e., 18-45 years, >45 years (without co-morbidities and >45 years (with co-morbidities).

Methodology: A special questionnaire would be designed for evaluation of the hesitancy for COVID 19 vaccine amongst the 400 participants from various rural and urban areas in Maharashtra according to different age groups i.e., 18-45 years, >45 years (without co-morbidities and >45 years (with co-morbidities).

Expected Results: As the world is fighting with the deadly pandemic, COVID 19 vaccines have come to the relief of the people. The emanation and distribution of these vaccines have put forth many challenges in front of the government and the health care workers. COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy is one such challenge amongst the Indian population. Thus, this study is formulated to assess the attitude and perception of people towards COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy and to determine the cause of it.

Conclusion: This study will evaluate the attitude and perception for COVID 19 vaccine among the participants. Senior citizens perceive that they will have some side effects due to vaccine whereas 18+ citizens perceive that their immunity can resist COVID-19.