Abstract

COVID-19, short for Coronavirus Disease 2019, is a rapidly spreading global pandemic caused by a novel human coronavirus initially named 2019-nCov and now known as SARS-CoV-2. This outbreak was first identified in December 2019 when patients in Wuhan, China, displayed symptoms of viral pneumonia. Our understanding of COVID-19 vaccines is currently limited, and it is expected that people’s perspectives and attitudes toward these vaccines will vary widely among and within countries.These variations will depend on factors such as demographics, educational backgrounds, and overall knowledge about COVID-19 and the available vaccines. Our research employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, utilizing convenient non-probability sampling techniques to collect data from 200 participants who met the inclusion criteria. The tool was divided in to three sections. The first section contained demographic variable. The second part comprised a set of 10multiple-choice questions aimed at evaluating individuals’ understanding of COVID-19 vaccination.The third section contained five-point Likert scale for assessing the attitude regarding COVID-19vaccination. The data were examined and assessed in alignment with the study’s objectives. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics were used for frequency and percentage while inferential statistics used to test hypothesis at p< 0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that 60% urban people having average knowledge regardingCOVID-19 vaccination and 99% people having positive attitude towards it. Hence, Awareness programs can be conducted to improve the knowledge of urban people regarding COVID-19vaccination.

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19, a deadly viral disease, continues to impact numerous countries worldwide. It is caused by a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2,which emerged as a major global health concern.The pandemic has created unprecedented challenges and disruptions in healthcare systems[1]. The virus primarily affects the respiratory system, ranging from mild symptoms like runny noses to severe respiratory distress. It poses a higher risk to the elderly and individuals with underlying health conditions like hypertension, obesity,diabetes, and kidney disease. The World Health Organization declared it a pandemic in March 2020[2–5].

Vaccinations have long been considered a powerful tool to combat infectious diseases. However, recent efforts to undermine vaccination through rumors and conspiracy theories have placed additional pressure on healthcare authorities.Multiple COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and distributed in Europe and North America,prioritizing healthcare workers and high-risk populations [6]. Unfortunately, low- and middle-income countries face delays in vaccine distribution due to factors like public mistrust, limited resources, and vaccine shortages. This inequality may exacerbate their healthcare challenges and lead to humanitarian crises [7–10].

To achieve herd immunity and effectively control the virus’s spread, widespread vaccination is crucial, necessitating high acceptance rates and minimal hesitancy [11]. Identifying factors influencing vaccine acceptance and hesitancy is vital for policy changes and public health campaigns to increase awareness. Public confidence in vaccines has been eroding due to rumors and misinformation, posing a significant challenge for global health experts and policymakers. Addressing vaccine hesitancy,countering rumors, and promoting accurate information are essential, particularly in resource-constrained settings. These efforts can foster trust between the public and health authorities, ultimately leading to better pandemic control and reduced loss of life [12–17].

Need of the Study

Need of the Study Achieving a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, stemming from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been a global healthcare priority [18]. Vaccine development is a meticulous, time-consuming process,necessitating rigorous assessments of efficacy and safety, particularly in high-risk groups like the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions or immunodeficiencies [19–21].

Moreover, assessing the public’s willingness to adopt newly introduced vaccines is vital for a successful immunization campaign. The COVID-19 vaccine’s rapid development, hitting the market just nine months after the virus’s discovery, presents certain uncertainties. While initial data suggests the safety and effectiveness of approved vaccines, questions about their long-term efficacy and potential side effects linger [22–25].

Predictably, the acceptance of this novel vaccine is a source of uncertainty, not only among healthcare experts but also within the general public [26]. Complicating matters further is the pervasive presence of anti-vaccine movements, which have propagated various pseudo scientific conspiracy theories in the media. This environment of skepticism and misinformation may pose a significant challenge in the campaign to immunize against COVID-19 [27–30].

In most countries, including India as of this article’s submission, COVID-19 vaccination remains a voluntary endeavor. Consequently, it is imperative to gauge the current sentiments and perspectives of local populations before launching large-scale vaccination programs. In India, regulatory approval for vaccines is still pending; however, there are expectations that vaccines such as Astra Zeneca’s may receive approval in early January 2021 [31–33].

The knowledge and attitudes surrounding COVID-19 vaccines have yet to be thoroughly explored.It is anticipated that these perspectives and attitudes will exhibit considerable variation across countries and even within countries. These differences will likely hinge on demographic factors, levels of education, and overall comprehension of COVID-19 and the available vaccines.As per the above said details researchers felt a need to assess knowledge and attitude regardingCOVID19 Vaccinations among urban populations of selected urban area of Gujarat [34–36].

Keyworde: Knowledge, Attitude, COVID-19 vaccination, Urban Population

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