ISSN 0303-5212
 

Original Research 
RMJ. 2025; 50(2): 303-308


Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan

Shazia Khalid, Sabir Zaman, Alam Zeb Khattak, Sumaya Batool, Muhammad Usman Ghani, Basharat Hussain.


Abstract
Objective: To examine the beliefs and perceptions of religious leaders about COVID-19 vaccine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Methodology: Data were collected from 23 religious leaders residing in various regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A qualitative research method used semi-structured interviews. The interview was conducted for gaining deeper understanding of the attitude’s beliefs and behaviors of the leaders related to COVID-19 vaccination.
Results: Two different patterns of responses were identified. Participants in group I who were already vaccinated expressed strong support in favor of vaccination for public health. Participants in group II, who rejected receiving the vaccine none of the participants showed any form of unwillingness or hesitation towards the vaccine.
Conclusion: Significant impact of religious beliefs on vaccine acceptance among religious leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was found. Recognizing and understanding these perceptions playing an important role in effective vaccination campaigns, particularly in regions where religious leaders have essential role in shaping public opinion and attitude in health community.

Key words: COVID-19, vaccine uptake, personal beliefs, perceptions, religious leaders, clerics, tribal areas.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Khalid S, Zaman S, Khattak AZ, Batool S, Ghani MU, Hussain B. Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan. RMJ. 2025; 50(2): 303-308.


Web Style

Khalid S, Zaman S, Khattak AZ, Batool S, Ghani MU, Hussain B. Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=193307 [Access: May 12, 2025].


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Khalid S, Zaman S, Khattak AZ, Batool S, Ghani MU, Hussain B. Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan. RMJ. 2025; 50(2): 303-308.



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Khalid S, Zaman S, Khattak AZ, Batool S, Ghani MU, Hussain B. Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan. RMJ. (2025), [cited May 12, 2025]; 50(2): 303-308.



Harvard Style

Khalid, S., Zaman, . S., Khattak, . A. Z., Batool, . S., Ghani, . M. U. & Hussain, . B. (2025) Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan. RMJ, 50 (2), 303-308.



Turabian Style

Khalid, Shazia, Sabir Zaman, Alam Zeb Khattak, Sumaya Batool, Muhammad Usman Ghani, and Basharat Hussain. 2025. Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 50 (2), 303-308.



Chicago Style

Khalid, Shazia, Sabir Zaman, Alam Zeb Khattak, Sumaya Batool, Muhammad Usman Ghani, and Basharat Hussain. "Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 50 (2025), 303-308.



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Khalid, Shazia, Sabir Zaman, Alam Zeb Khattak, Sumaya Batool, Muhammad Usman Ghani, and Basharat Hussain. "Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 50.2 (2025), 303-308. Print.



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Khalid, S., Zaman, . S., Khattak, . A. Z., Batool, . S., Ghani, . M. U. & Hussain, . B. (2025) Examining the COVID-19 vaccine response: Personal beliefs and perceptions of tribal religious leaders and clerics in Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 50 (2), 303-308.