  Background: Bangladesh govt. launched a nationwide vaccination drive against
SARS-CoV-2 infection from early February 2021. The objectives of this study
were to evaluate the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccines and examine the
factors associated with the acceptance in Bangladesh.
  Method: In between January 30 to February 6, 2021, we conducted a web-based
anonymous cross-sectional survey among the Bangladeshi general population. The
multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the factors that
influence the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination.
  Results: 61.16% (370/605) of the respondents were willing to accept/take the
COVID-19 vaccine. Among the accepted group, only 35.14% showed the willingness
to take the COVID-19 vaccine immediately, while 64.86% would delay the
vaccination until they are confirmed about the vaccine's efficacy and safety or
COVID-19 become deadlier in Bangladesh. The regression results showed age,
gender, location (urban/rural), level of education, income, perceived risk of
being infected with COVID-19 in the future, perceived severity of infection,
having previous vaccination experience after age 18, having higher knowledge
about COVID-19 and vaccination were significantly associated with the
acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.
  Conclusion: The research reported a high prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine
refusal and hesitancy in Bangladesh. To diminish the vaccine hesitancy and
increase the uptake, the policymakers need to design a well-researched
immunization strategy to remove the vaccination barriers. To improve vaccine
acceptance among people, false rumors and misconceptions about the COVID-19
vaccines must be dispelled (especially on the internet) and people must be
exposed to the actual scientific facts.
