Exploring COVID-19 Vaccines Hesitancy Among The Muslim Community of The East Coast Region in Malaysia

Authors

  • Mohamad Firdaus Mohamad Ismail Department of Professional Nursing Studies, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Nurul Nabila Syuhada Salim Homage Home Care Malaysia, Bukit Kiara, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
  • Siti Zuhaidah Shahadan Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Pahang, Malaysia
  • Nur Mursyidah Abdul Hamid Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Pahang, Malaysia.
  • Tuan Sidek Tuan Muda Human Science Center, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pahang, Malaysia.
  • Falasifah Ani Yuniarti Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/ijcs.v6i2.271

Keywords:

Understanding, Misconception, Hesitancy, COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

Introduction: The development of vaccines against SARS-COV-2 infections has marked a significant milestone in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 vaccines can provide a way to prevent the pandemic. Despite the high acceptance rate, Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan (east coast region) remain the lowest vaccination rate in Malaysia. Most of Malaysia's population in the east coast region is Muslim, but there is no study exploring this phenomenon. Objective: This study aims to understand the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Malaysia's Muslim community of the east coast region. Methodology: This study used a qualitative research design study. Six participants from the east coast region of Malaysia were recruited from February until June 2022. The recruitment techniques used purposive sampling methods. In-depth interviews with participants were used on virtual platforms. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: Three themes were identified 1) source of information; they believe rumours spread by the anti-vaccine movement or their close family 2) safety issues concern; they are scared of potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, 3) self-belief; they believe self-isolation and proper diet better than vaccine intervention. Conclusion: Although 95.7 per cent of the population is wholly vaccinated, some still do not intend to take any COVID-19 vaccination in Malaysia. This study can provide data and crucial information that will help develop strategies to remove the related hesitancy and improve public uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination.

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Published

2023-07-31

How to Cite

Mohamad Ismail, M. F. ., Salim, N. N. S., Shahadan, S. Z., Abdul Hamid, N. . M., Tuan Muda, T. S., & Falasifah Ani Yuniarti. (2023). Exploring COVID-19 Vaccines Hesitancy Among The Muslim Community of The East Coast Region in Malaysia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARE SCHOLARS, 6(2), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.31436/ijcs.v6i2.271

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2023): International Journal of Care Scholars

Section

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