Your definitive guide to Covid-19 | Covid-19 & vaccine hesitancy: Here’s what you need to know

There is still widespread vaccine hesitancy fuelled by misinformation and mistrust, particularly in rural areas of India.

Health experts say vaccine hesitancy, particularly in India's vast hinterlands, could put the country’s fragile gains against Covid-19 at risk yet again.

What is vaccination hesitancy?

The World health organisation has defined ‘Vaccine hesitancy’ as a “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services”, and it has been reported in more than 90% of countries in the world.

Why are people hesitant to get vaccinated?

Reasons for vaccine hesitancy can vary across populations, vaccines and historical contexts.

In the case of Covid-19, commonly reported reasons for hesitancy include overarching concerns about possible side effects, as well as specific fears that the vaccine contains live virus that will cause the disease.

Here are some key facts about the vaccines that will help you make a decision about going and getting that jab.

The Covid-19 vaccines are safe

Though the Covid-19 vaccines was formulated globally, by scientists in record time, they did not cut corners on testing for safety and efficacy.

The Covid vaccines were made using processes that have been developed and tested over many years. The vaccines themselves were extensively tested by independent scientists.

Covid-19 vaccines are not experimental. They went through all the required stages of clinical trials. Extensive testing and monitoring have shown that these vaccines are safe and effective.

Covid-19 vaccines are effective

Vaccines can keep you from getting and spreading the virus that causes Covid-19, and this includes the recent Delta variant.

They also help keep you from getting seriously ill or prevent hospitalisation, even if you do get Covid-19.

Getting vaccinated yourself will also help protect people around you, your friends and families, especially people at increased risk for severe illness or those with co-morbidities.

Side effects of the vaccine are temporary

The vaccines do not contain the live coronavirus, and you cannot and will not get Covid-19 from getting vaccinated.

After taking the shots, you might experience a sore arm, a mild fever or body aches, but this is normal and doesn’t mean you have Covid-19.

These symptoms, if they happen at all, are temporary, usually lasting only a day or two. They signal a natural response as your body’s immune system learns to recognize and fight the coronavirus.

Get the vaccine even if you had Covid-19

If you’ve already had Covid-19, getting the vaccine will add extra protection, and keep you safe, especially from variants such as Delta.

Current guidelines suggest that anyone previously infected with Covid-19 should be vaccinated.

The shots may offer longer and stronger protection than your natural immunity.

Concerns with pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility

Pregnancy does not increase the risk to Covid-19 infection, but current evidence indicates that pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19 compared to women who are not pregnant, in case they get infected.

A pregnant woman who opts for vaccination, could be vaccinated at any time of the pregnancy.

Pregnant women should discuss the vaccination plan with their doctors. According to the guidelines given by the Ministry of Health in India, pregnant women will be informed about the risks of exposure to Covid-19 infection along with the risks and benefits of vaccines available in the country, before she decides to take the jab.

The vaccines are safe for breastfeeding mothers, and do not harm a woman’s ability to become pregnant.

Conclusion:

People hesitate to get vaccinated for many reasons, they can range from personal beliefs, fears to logistical problems in getting to vaccine sites.

But time is of the essence. Waiting too long to be vaccinated allows the coronavirus to continue spreading in the community, and with new variants emerging, this could leave large groups at risk.

So, the sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner you are protected.