Experiences of Covid-19 Early Vaccination: A Survey-Based Study from the Community Healthcare Setup in India

Introduction: Vaccination is one of the important solution to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the vaccine hesitancy in India, a study about an experience of COVID-19 vaccination is planned. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered interview-based study was performed at a vaccination centre in Mumbai. Individuals who have taken at least one vaccine dose were interviewed at the vaccination centre between August 2021 and December 2021. The self-administered questionnaire consists of 23 items which include questions about demographic details, history of COVID-19 infection and the details of the vaccine, followed their beliefs and confidence regarding the vaccine, their experience with the vaccination centre, and the side effects of the vaccine if any. Results: A total of 400 individuals responded to the survey. Among them, 50.3% were males. About 77% of participants depended on digital media for the vaccination program awareness. Only 19.3% of respondents expressed hesitancy regarding vaccine side effects and felt difficulty taking a vaccine. A majority (94.5%) of the responders were in favor of recommending vaccination to their peers. Most of the participants were satisfied with the services at the vaccination centre. The Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) reported by individuals were minor. Conclusion: Side effects of the vaccination, trust, risk perception, personal experience, and earlier vaccine experiences are some factors that reduce people’s willingness to vaccination. The current study reports an overall high willingness for vaccination. It also reflects the acceptance of booster doses with the organized vaccination drives and awareness among the people.