Factors affecting intentions of readiness and reluctance for COVID-19 vaccination

Objective: To find the frequency of intentions and it's affecting factors of readiness and reluctance for COVID-19 vaccination and their association with demographic attributes in Karachi, Pakistan.Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Civil Hospital, Karachi and included participants whose age was > 18 years. The people who were previously infected with COVID-19 or already vaccinated were excluded from the study. Purposive sampling was applied to enrol 400 participants and a self-developed questionnaire was administered to gather data. Data were analysed using SPSS 20.Results: Out of 400 participants, 260 (65%) were willing and 140 (35%) were reluctant to have COVID-19 vaccination. Willing participants were affected by three factors such as vaccination is the 55 (21.1%) the best way to avoid from serious illness, doctors' suggestion 45 (17.5.0%), and self and family protection 40 (15.4%). Reluctant participants were also affected by three factors including 22 (15.8%) unforeseen side effects, 25 (18.0%) belief in conspiracy theory for vaccination, and 26 (18.5%) development of a vaccine is too quick. Age and education showed a significant association with the intentions of COVID-19 vaccination (p < 0.5).Conclusion: This study highlighted that65% of participants were willing, and 35% were reluctant to have COVID-19 vaccination. Three factors were affected on willingness and three factors on reluctance of participants for COVID-19 vaccination. Age and gender were found significantly associated with the intentions of COVID-19 vaccination.