Although the Drug Controller General of India has approved two Covid-19 vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin- for emergency use, surveys indicate that Indians are hesitant to get vaccinated.
Online platform LocalCircles latest survey shows that 69% Indians are in no rush to get a vaccine shot. The percentage remains unchanged from November and December. Out of the 8,723 responses, only 26% showed interest in getting vaccinated as soon as the drive begins.
Only 26% approved of their children getting vaccinated if made available for school children by April 2021. 56% voted to wait for 3 or more months and then make a decision.
Another independent survey done by LocalCircles indicated that the majority of healthcare professionals were uncertain of the efficacy of the vaccine or worried about the side-effects.
Lack of transparency regarding the approval process, data on the side-effects, efficacy from trials has generated distrust for the vaccines.