80% Pakistanis satisfied with government on providing coronavirus vaccine: Survey

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

Eighty per cent Pakistanis say they are satisfied with the pace at which the government provided the coronavirus vaccine.

However, seven per cent expressed dissatisfaction with the speed. As many as 77 per cent Pakistanis reported two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine but 23 per cent refused it.

Fifty-two per cent of those who refused the vaccine said they would not be inoculated under any circumstances. The most common of the reasons for not getting the vaccine, 37 per cent, cited possible side effects. The main reason for being affected was social gatherings.

This was shown in an Ipsos Pakistan survey in which more than 1,000 people participated. The survey was conducted from Jan.27 to Feb.2, 2022. Four out of every 5 Pakistanis, 80 per cent, said they are satisfied with the government's speed of providing the vaccine.

However, 7 per cent expressed dissatisfaction. While 13 per cent said they did not know anything about it. As many as 77 per cent of Pakistanis also asked for the coronavirus vaccine, while 23 per cent said they did not get the vaccine.

Of those vaccinated, 77% took two doses, 11% took one dose, 9% took a single dose vaccine, while 2% took a booster shot in addition to two doses. Of the 23% who said they should not be vaccinated, 52% said they would not be vaccinated under any circumstances.

However, 48% said that the vaccine was effective. Thirty-seven per cent of the reasons for not getting the vaccine cited the fear of side effects, fourteen per cent were generally against the vaccine, 9% said the vaccine was not effective, while 7% said the vaccine should not be applied without any risk from corona.

In the fifth wave of coronavirus, 96% of Pakistanis said they were not infected with the virus. However, 4% said to be infected with Omicron. Of those who said to be affected by Omicron, 33% asked to be quarantined for 7 days, 28% said 10 days, 20% said 14 days, 10% said 5 days, while 8% said 3 days are enough for quarantine.

Of those infected with Omicron, 23% said participation in social gatherings was an important source of the virus. Seventeen per cent went to work, 11% went to educational institutions, 11% to shopping malls, while 11% to hospitals.