Perspective of Covid 19 Hesistancy
Covid 19 vaccine hesitancy is when there is delay in acceptance or refusal of Covid 19 vaccine despite availability of the services. Indeed, it is caused by complex and context specific varying across time, place and vaccines. However, it is influenced by factors such as complacency, convenience, confidence and sociodemographic contexts [1].
Covid 19 vaccine hesitancy could be linked to misinformation and conspiracy theories which are oftentimes disseminated online, including through social media such as WhatsApp, Facebook etc. Also, structural factors such as health inequalities, socioeconomic disadvantages, systemic racism, and barriers to access are key drivers of low confidence in vaccines and poor uptake [2].
It has been noted that confidence in the role of vaccines has the strongest association with vaccine uptake; but, confidence in the necessity and value, safety, and effectiveness of vaccines fell in some countries recently [3]
The low confidence in covid-19 vaccines could be caused by misinformation, disinformation, rumors, and conspiracy theories, in particular through social media. Also, lack of effective public health messages or targeted campaigns as well as barriers to access, including vaccine delivery time, location, and cost related to socioeconomic inequalities and marginalization may be responsible [4]
The vaccine hesitancy is complex, and therefore no single intervention can address this entirely, especially in the context of covid-19 where evidence for effective strategies to address it is currently highly limited. [2]
Today, there is great concerns about long term effects, side effects, and unknown future effects of covid 19 on health [1]
Lack of trust in the manufacturing and country of production of vaccines, vaccine technology, the pharmaceutical industry, government, and public health bodies have worsened the issue of covid 19 vaccine hesistancy. The belief in conspiracy theories such as covid-19 not being real, or that vaccines modify DNA has really given boost to Covid 19 vaccine hesistancy [5]
The decision making around covid 19 vaccine hesistancy involves a complex mix of cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, political, and cognitive factors [6]
Therefore, more research should be done to expose the grey areas in covid 19 vaccine to make more acceptable in the society [7-8]