Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41453783›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Ethics and dilemmas regarding acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among people living in an Indian metropolitan city during the pandemic: a qualitative study.

Jeffrey Pradeep Raj, Sowntappan Balasubramanian, Shilpa Nellikal, Dattaprasad Avinash Sawant, Deepika Sadawarte

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Jeffrey Pradeep RajDepartment of Pharmacology (Division of Clinical Pharmacology), Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India jeffrey.raj@manipal.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8621-6106
Sowntappan BalasubramanianHinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Medical College and Dr Rustom Narsi Cooper Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3581-4285
Shilpa NellikalDepartment of Community Medicine, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.
Dattaprasad Avinash SawantDepartment of Community Medicine, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0533-9292
Deepika SadawarteDepartment of Community Medicine, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo explore public perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in India, and to identify underlying factors influencing attitudes toward vaccination during the second wave of the pandemic.

designA cross-sectional qualitative study based on a grounded theory approach.

settingCommunity-based interviews conducted in Mumbai, a densely populated metropolitan city in India, during the second COVID-19 wave (April-June 2021).

participantsTwenty purposively selected adults (men and women aged 22-87 years) from varied educational and occupational backgrounds. Inclusion criteria were willingness to participate and the ability to provide informed consent; individuals directly involved in COVID-19 vaccine policy or administration were excluded.

methodsIn-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide exploring perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively following grounded theory principles. Reflexivity was maintained throughout data collection and analysis. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Key emergent themes relating to vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and influencing factors such as safety concerns, efficacy perceptions, media influence and social determinants of vaccine choice.

resultsAttitudes toward vaccination ranged from strong acceptance to hesitancy driven by concerns about safety, side effects and the speed of vaccine development. Media coverage, peer and healthcare professional opinions, and personal experiences shaped the decision of the participants. Cost considerations and lack of vaccine choice influenced uptake. Many participants favoured vaccination being voluntary rather than mandatory for the general population.

conclusionTrust in authorities, transparent risk communication and culturally sensitive engagement are critical to improving vaccine confidence. Public health strategies should address safety concerns, ensure equitable access and promote consistent messaging to enhance vaccine acceptance in current and future pandemic contexts.

Indexed as

COVID-19COVID-19 VaccinesPatient Acceptance of Health CareVaccinationVaccination HesitancyAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansIndiaMaleMiddle AgedPandemicsCOVID-19 VaccinesCOVID-19Health Services AccessibilityPublic healthQUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Identifiers

PMID41453783
PMCPMC12742175

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.