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COVID Vaccine Hesitancy - Prevention

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With the rise of the pandemic, the community faced a severe challenge in the form of vaccine hesitancy. Read this article to know more.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Published At March 23, 2023
Reviewed AtMarch 23, 2023

Introduction

The dawn of March 2020 saw the world gripped by fear of the pandemic that resulted in severe political, economic, social, and medical crises. The novel coronavirus successfully attained fame and game and was first isolated in 2019 China. Covid-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is an infectious respiratory disease with a high potential for human-to-human spread. The disease had a high mortality and morbidity rate and has been particularly challenging for the elderly and those suffering from co-morbidities. However, the most vexing feature of this pandemic is that though the disease has entered a pause zone, the virus continues to circulate in the pockets of the global population, which means covid 19 is likely to stay and be permanent just like other endemic conditions such as influenza and measles. A seasonal surge can be predicted.

However, it does not mean death, morbidities, or social isolation again. The future of Covid-19 would largely depend on the vaccines and their response, the immunity, novel resistant strains, and the possibility of a zoonotic spread. The severity of future illness, its prevalence, and novel forms though possible, remain uncertain.

Why Is Vaccination Important?

With the rise of new diseases and illnesses, science and technology have always lent a helping hand to protect and preserve the living. Vaccination or immunization is one such paradigm discovery that has helped eradicate many chronic and dreadful diseases. Immunization or vaccination is an integral part of public health. They not only protect oneself against diseases but also prevent the spread of contagious diseases, reduce the severity, and thus help prevent fatalities or other complications. Vaccines are biological preparations that induce immunity against disease and thus protect humans from that disease. Vaccines are individualized products and have rapidly evolved in terms of efficacy and safety.

Vaccines are a fail-safe way to protect the community against various diseases. They are particularly effective in infectious and contagious diseases. Vaccinations undergo rigorous testing and clinical trials before being introduced in the community. With the advent of technology, their safety and hazards are well monitored. The higher the vaccination rate in the community, the harder it is for the disease to spread. Though mild side effects are common after certain vaccination, none are severe or fatal to deter immunization.

Globally, vaccinations prevent roughly around 3 million deaths every year. Since the vaccines were pioneered, fatal diseases like smallpox, polio, tetanus, measles, and diphtheria have almost been eradicated. Hence regular immunization should be encouraged by the government and healthcare centers, and public awareness of the benefit of vaccines should be increased.

What Was the Role of Vaccines in the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The breakthrough in the recent pandemic came with the swift introduction of vaccines, which became a major respite. The vaccines, though, were expedited shortly; they were not experimental as they underwent routine testing and clinical trials before being introduced to the community. They were also monitored by various health organizations considering the mayhem this disease had caused globally. Below are a few facts enlisted concerning Covid-19 vaccines:

  • Covid 19 vaccines have undergone robust scientific testing to determine their efficacy and safety.

  • Vaccinations have reduced the possibility of transmission and infection.

  • It has curbed the rate of death and hospitalization due to severe illness.

  • It has been highly beneficial in vulnerable populations, particularly those with comorbidities at higher risk for infection.

  • The vaccinated community was even protected from the novel variants of Covid 19 introduced later.

  • It helped limit the introduction of novel generation viruses that could have been more virulent than the initial one.

  • It helped the community improve socio-economically.

What Is Vaccine Hesitancy?

Vaccine hesitancy refers to the refusal or reluctance of individuals to accept a vaccine despite the vaccine's safety and efficacy having been proven. Vaccine hesitancy is a significant public health issue, especially when the threat is a pandemic. Individuals refusing vaccines have existed since the time of smallpox vaccines. People refusing or hesitating to vaccinate themselves or their children pose a significant challenge to the community and majorly impact the immunization program. Studies present that word-wide, one in every five children still are deprived of life saving vaccines, and around 1.5 million die due to vaccine hesitancy in parents. Vaccine hesitancy is not an issue only in low-income societies but is also widely prevalent in well-developed countries. The major determinants of vaccine hesitancy are:

  • Confidence: A lack of trust in the efficiency and safety of the vaccines or the healthcare system that delivers them is one of the major factors resulting in vaccine hesitancy.

  • Complacency: Vaccine complacency suggests that the disease against which the vaccine is introduced is low-risk, and vaccination is unnecessary to prevent it.

  • Convenience: Vaccine convenience is a crucial factor in vaccine hesitancy, affordability, and availability; geographical accessibility to the vaccination center, health literacy, and quality of healthcare services significantly affect people's decision to get vaccinated.

Why Was There a COVID Vaccine Hesitancy?

Covid vaccine campaign was propelled in India on the 16th of January 2021. In the initial phases of this campaign, there was a proportionate uncertainty among the healthcare professionals who were the frontline warriors. However, the fervent shot of the second wave and the dearth of medical facilities saw an increase in vaccine demand. Yet certain anti-vaccine communities powered by social media platforms and political factions spiked vaccine hesitancy. The most common reasons for refusal or reluctance of Covid 19 vaccines, as given by surveys, are:

  • Mistrust in the healthcare system and Covid 19 vaccines

  • Lack of trust in the effectiveness of Covid 19 vaccines.

  • Fear regarding the safety and adverse effects of the newly introduced Covid 19 vaccines.

  • Inclination towards natural immunity to fight the disease.

  • People felt vaccination was not needed since the disease was under control.

  • Apprehension regarding future problems.

How Can Vaccine Hesitancy Be Addressed?

Vaccine hesitancy can be primarily addressed by instilling confidence and creating mass awareness among the public. Every individual must realize the importance of vaccines and their benefits. Health awareness campaigns can benefit substantially. Social media and such platforms could map the vaccine-hesitant areas regionally, thereby assisting in addressing them at community levels. Instilling covid 19 vaccine confidence can be done by stating the following:

  • Though Covid 19 vaccines were developed rapidly, they were done scientifically. They are designed, tested, and introduced only after promising results during clinical trials.

  • The side effects experienced are mild and not severe or fatal.

  • These vaccines provide antibodies to fight the infection and prevent severe illness or death.

  • Grouping and selection helped assess the safety and efficacy of Covid 19 vaccines among all types of individuals.

  • There are very few people who can't get vaccines, such as only those with a history of allergy to vaccines or vaccine products. However, the rest are all eligible to receive the vaccine.

  • Despite being infected, vaccination will boost the level of immunity and prevent reinfection or reduce the severity of the infection.

  • The elderly and people with comorbidities who are more vulnerable would experience less severe symptoms, and the disease may not prove fatal to them.

  • Increased community vaccinations suggest a near-normal life with no social restrictions.

  • Covid 19 vaccines have been regarded as safe even in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Conclusion

Reluctance or hesitancy to take a vaccine could be challenging and a leading public health issue. Apprehension, fear, safety, and the possibility of adverse events are primary reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Vaccinating with confidence could help curb the covid 19 vaccine hesitancy. Sharing clear, accurate, and complete information regarding covid 19 vaccine can help build trust. Regularly update the public via social media regarding the vaccines' benefits, safety, efficacy, and side effects. Do not spread false or invalidated information. Empower healthcare professionals to educate the patients. Vaccine recipients can communicate their experiences and thus build community vaccine confidence.

Source Article IclonSourcesSource Article Arrow
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

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