WILL INDIANS OPT FOR THE VACCINE?

New Delhi: In November 2020, a survey carried out by Local Circles, a community social media platform revealed that Indians are likely to be hesitant of a COVID-19 vaccine. In the survey, 59% of all respondents (8,936 total respondents) said they will not rush to get the vaccine even if it is available by February 2021. Similarly, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers conducting door to door survey about the vaccine in Gujrat earlier this month, said people are sceptical about being first in line for an “unknown vaccine”.

However, as per a global survey conducted by the World Economic Forum/IPSOS, 87% of Indians said they would get a vaccine for COVID-19. This figure was much higher than the global average, where overall, 73% of respondents said they would get a COVID-19 vaccine if available.

The intent of vaccination amongst Indians has remained unchanged in 2 rounds of the surveys (August and November 2020). However, for 10 countries, including China, Australia, Spain, and Brazil, the intent of getting a vaccine amongst respondents has reduced.

What are the main reasons for not wanting to get a COVID-19 vaccine? Globally, the side effects are the highest cited concern (34%), followed about concerns about clinical trials moving too fast (33%). Similarly, 34% of Indians also said they are worried about the side-effects, while 16% said they are concerned about the fast-moving trials.