CONTEXT : Government of Tamil Nadu introduced the COVID-19 vaccination in a phased manner. Until 16th July 2021, 4.7
million and 19.8 million people have been fully and partially vaccinated. Despite vaccine availability and vaccination centre
strategically spread across the state, the vaccination coverage continues to be low.
AIM : This study is planned to assess the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and to understand the factors leading to vaccine
hesitancy among the public of Tamil Nadu.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN : A cross-sectional study was conducted in all the health unit districts of Tamil Nadu. With a
cluster size of 30 in each, total sample size covered was 2855 in 95 clusters. In each cluster, adults aged ?18 years were
surveyed using interviewer-administered questionnaire which had a section on demography, vaccination information,
and perception towards vaccination. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Chi square was used for inferential
statistics with p value <0.05 considered as statistically significant.
RESULTS : Overall prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and refusal i.e. not willing to get vaccinated in the future was 51.2% and
12% respectively. Among non-vaccinated, unawareness of where to get vaccine was the most common reason quoted.
Among vaccine refusers, complacency that they will not get Covid infection is the most common reason quoted. There was
a significant gender, urban rural locality and age wise difference on the factors determining vaccine hesitancy.
CONCLUSION : A targeted approach should be followed to fight hesitation and further increase acceptance among people.