The conditionality of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance: A qualitative study in Pakistan

Sara Akram, Rehan Aftab, Qadar B. Baloch, Farid Ullah, Wadi B. Alonazi, Verdah Q. Baloch, Humaira Amin, Muhammad S. Alam

Abstract

Understanding both the motivations for vaccination and the causes of vaccine reluctance is necessary for the present worldwide immunization campaigns against the COVID-19 pandemic. The intention of the article is to compile local perspectives and misconceptions about vaccination choices. The intention of this study is to assemble what is usually recognized in cultural context as conspiracies and post-traumatic phase affects in decision making. This is ethnographic exploratory study of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Purposive sampling is used to acquire data, while in-depth interviews and focus group discussions are used as data collecting strategies. Study reveals the experience of people who faced traumatic events and decision about getting vaccinated, and that impact may arise from social and cultural factors related to both the traumatic event and the vaccination experience. Vaccination decisions can be impacted by the impacts of traumatic experiences, which can be influenced by cultural norms as well as social and cultural variables. During this traumatic period, it is natural for conspiracies to emerge in order to influence people's decisions to get vaccinated. The ability of the COVID-19 vaccine to control the population and its unpleasant side effects are significant topics in this disinformation.

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