COVID-19 VACCINE HESITANCY AMONG POST-GRADUATE (P.G) MEDICAL STUDENTS AT S.M.S. MEDICAL COLLEGE, JAIPUR
Keywords:
Vaccine hesitancy, Covid-19, post graduate medical studentsAbstract
Background: India had launched the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination programme with the
frontline and health care workers on 16 January 2021. There was signicant anxiety and apprehension
about the safety, efcacy and side effects of Covid-19 vaccines among health care and frontline workers. To estimate Objective:
the level of vaccine hesitancy to novel COVID-19 vaccine along with its association with various socio-demographic variables.
Materials and Methods: The study conducted from April 2021 to August 2021 at SMS Medical College and attached Hospital,
Jaipur, among 550 post graduate medical students, using validated semi structured questionnaire. Vaccine hesitancy scores
were evaluated in relation to various socio demographic variables using appropriate statistical methods. Out of 550 Results:
study participants, covid-19 vaccine acceptance was 89% whereas vaccine hesitance was 11%. Vaccine hesitancy scores were
high (8%) low (14%) medium (78%) respectively. Main reasons for vaccine hesitancy were safety (60.8%), side effects (46%),
efcacy (67%), ethical issues (97.66%) and waiting for more study results Vaccine hesitancy scores were signicantly
associated with age, gender, residence, service status and working departments of the working residents. Covid- Conclusion:
19 vaccination of the post graduate medical students is most important because of their high-risk professional working
environment.