To manage the spread and control the pandemic, regular COVID-19 testing along with vaccination are critical behaviors to drive in the population, where supply and demand side issues need to be managed side by side. However, much of the discussion, policy and efforts in India are limited to supply of testing, and supply/logistics of vaccines, while the issue of people’s demand for testing and confidence in vaccines and willingness to get vaccinated is not being adequately addressed.
While survey data and other studies are important to understanding overall hesitancy, there is a need for a behavioural science and HCD-led approach to identify strategic levers which can be used to design the communication campaign and service delivery design for vaccine rollout.