Drivers of vaccine hesitancy among vulnerable populations in India: a cross-sectional multi-state study

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1177634
• Publication Date: 2023-10-09T15:05:37Z
• Authors: Parthasarathy Kri...; Michael S. Mulvey; Kallana Gowda; Meghna Singh; Nitish Kumar Venk...; Syama B. Syam; Prerak Shah; Shiv Kumar; Angela Chaudhuri; Raghunathan Naray...; Abdul Latheef Perne; Aditya Pangaria
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Demographics

Objectives India’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign engaged frontline workers (FLWs) to encourage among vulnerable segments of society. The FLWs report encountering a variety barriers and are often unsuccessful despite multiple visits the same person. This cross-sectional study aims pinpoint which these drive vaccine hesitancy segments, help streamline communication, including FLW training, better safeguard population. Methods Trained field enumerators contacted 893 individuals from five states across India collected self-reported assessments fifteen (identified through discussions with FLWs), current status future intentions, covariates (demographics/comorbidities). Factor analysis yielded two factors, one relating fear adverse effects second focused on peripheral concerns regarding vaccine. significantly associated were combined under latent class regime yield three cluster types (health access, financial strength, demographics). primary examined effect barrier covariate clusters, comorbidity, intentions. Results Fear was driver hesitancy; frequently mentioned by had no impact. Although membership presence comorbidities predicted uptake, neither them materially altered following exception: not young Muslim men. Conclusion Subject limitations, results indicate that interventions decrease should focus primarily vaccines rather than spend resources trying address concerns.