Policies and cultural beliefs: Community perceptions about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Indonesia

Objective: Vaccine hesitancy is a global concern and a significant threat to COVID-19 vaccination programs. This study aimed to explore vaccine hesitancy from the perspective of the Indonesian community related to policies and cultural beliefs. Design: A descriptive qualitative approach was utilized in this study. Sample: Twenty participants were recruited from various settings to ensure the representation of experiences in different contexts in Indonesia. Measurement: Audio-recorded, semi-structured, individual, in-depth interviews were carried out. Content analysis was performed to identify the main key themes. Results: Twenty participants were recruited from various regions of Java Island, Indonesia. The participants revealed hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine, including the themes of mistrust, controversy, and the culture and beliefs of the community. Conclusions: This study highlights COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Indonesia, which may have implications for the community's perceptions and beliefs regarding the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. The trust issue remains a major challenge to convincing the community to accept the vaccine at the grassroots level. Targeted education and communication strategies are essential in addressing trust issues surrounding COVID-19 vaccines among critical stakeholders and religious leaders in Indonesia. Public health nursing plays a crucial role in fostering community acceptance and ensuring the success of vaccination programs.