New Delhi: Nearly 69 per cent Indians are unwilling to take COVID-19 vaccine although it will be available soon, survey conducted by LocalCircles said.

To the question that received 8,723 responses, only 26 per cent of citizens said that they will get it as soon as it becomes available via private or any healthcare channels. The latest survey result indicated that the hesitancy of citizens remains unchanged at 69 per cent. They are unwilling to take it despite two vaccines receiving the regulator’s green signal for vaccination.

This percentage remains unchanged with the result published in December 2020. In November and October, 2020 surveys, 59 per cent and 61 per cent of citizens were hesitant to take the vaccine. Only 26 per cent Indian parents approve of their children receiving COVID-19 vaccine by April 2021.

When LocalCircles asked parents “If the COVID-19 vaccine is made available for school children, would you consider giving it to your child or grandchild?” Only 26per cent Indian parents approved of their children receiving the COVID-19 vaccine if it is made available by April 2021, or before school session.

The survey further said that 56 per cent of parents prefer to wait three months or more and then consider based on data or findings. Nearly 12 per cent said a flat “No”.

The vaccine candidate developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been more promising than others, with efficacy levels of nearly 95 per cent. Both vaccines require storage temperatures of -70 degree centigrade and -20 degree centigrade respectively.

The AstraZeneca-Oxford-SII Covid-19 vaccine can be stored, transported and handled at normal refrigerated conditions (2°C to 8°C) for at least six months.