Fear – Shifting from the Virus to the Vaccine

Objective: To determine the reasons for hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccine in Rawalpindi/Islamabadregion of Pakistan.Study Design: Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration Study: The study was conducted at Department Microbiology, Army MedicalCollege, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from 1 June 2021 to July 2021.Materials Methods: A questionnaire socio-demographic variables factors leading vaccinationhesitancy administered participants after obtaining informed consent. Data were analyzed by usingSPSS version 27.0.Results: Out total 1067 participants, 41 % declined vaccination. main reason refusal vaccinewas fear death 25.6% followed infertility 16.5%. Social media also played a major role tovaccine as 46.3 population expressed distrust vaccines because social mediainfluence, 44.5% having concerns about safety efficacy vaccines.Conclusion: acceptance rate sub-optimal among participants. As almost theparticipants hesitant. success any vaccination program largely depends on public willingness toaccept therefore policy makers stake holders should try address apprehensions thegeneral public.