Efforts to Combat the Vaccine Hesitancy for Covid-19 Vaccination in India
- Author Sumeet Juneja
- Co-Author Nishtha Kathuria
- DOI https://ww
- Country : India
- Subject :
Keywords : COVID-19, Vaccines, Immunization, Vaccine hesitancy
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic created havoc resulting in loss of human lives, burdening health systems and pushing back economic and social progress throughout the world. Vaccines against COVID-19 are the most specific and long-lasting solution to prevent against the disease. India came out to be a forerunner in the vaccine development and achieved the coverage of administering more than 2 billion doses to its population in almost 2 years. However, achieving this gigantic task, was not a smooth ride as the country faced vaccine hesitancy which refers to the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite the availability of vaccination services mostly in the initial phase of the vaccine roll out. The main concerns among the population were fear of the side effects and apprehension of the quick progression of the clinical trials for the vaccine development. The infodemic on the social media aggravated these concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of the approved vaccines. India made concerted efforts to combat the vaccine hesitancy such as coming up with specific targeted campaigns, developing a robust communication strategy, involvement of highest leadership for appealing to the public, transparent and clear-cut messages on the safety of the vaccines, effective utilization of social media channels for spreading the positive and correct information. To address the misinformation, myths and rumors around the vaccine and make the COVID-19 vaccination campaign a success, India utilized the experience of its huge Routine Immunization program, Mission Indra Dhanush initiative and the immunization campaigns such as Measles Rubella Campaign and Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization. All these efforts done by the country made the COVID-19 vaccination a huge success and a milestone in India’s immunization journey.
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