Title: Attitudes and beliefs of respiratory patients for avoiding Covid 19 vaccination: Experience at a tertiary care center in India

Abstract:

Vaccination against Covid 19 pandemic started in February 2021 in India. On a priority basis healthcare workers, elderly people and other adult age groups were allowed to take vaccine in a phased manner. Even 11 months after initiating the programme, still there are some people who have not received vaccine. To understand issues preventing people from receiving covid 19 vaccine, a cross sectional study was done at a tertiary care center using a questionnaire and individual interview. The study was approved by institutional ethics committee. All respiratory patients above 18 years of age who attended OPD from September 2021 to November 2021 were included. Patients were asked to either fill questionnaire on self or with help of a post graduate as per patient’s responses. Data was analyzed using MS Excel 2013. 597 subjects were enrolled in the study. 307 were males and 290 were females. Mean age of men 46.92±13.90 years and mean age of women 45.03±11.07years. 73% took a  native medicine (229 males and 209 females).7% were afraid of side effects (24 males and 20 females), 6% were taking long term medication for other diseases, 5% heard news of deaths following covid 19 vaccination, 3% were afraid of injection,3% were thinking vaccine of no use and 3% were having drug allergies. Taking a native medicine, particularly in Nellore district, was the most common cause for avoiding Covid 19 vaccination. Unless these issues are addressed, the ultimate goal of this vaccination programme may not be met.

Biography:

Anil Kumar Kodavala has completed his MBBS at the age of 23 years from NTR University of Health Sciences and specialty training in Respiratory medicine from Amrita School of Medicine. He is working as an associate professor at Narayana Medical College Hospital, Nellore. He has published 6 papers in reputed journals.