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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine conducted a nationally representative survey, which showed that 42% of Ukrainians who have not yet been vaccinated are willing to be vaccinated under certain conditions. Fear of the disease, the experience of loved ones, advice from doctors and myths about vaccination – all this can influence a person’s decision to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
This is reported by UA with reference to the study.
What motivates those who want to be vaccinated the most is that vaccination can prevent coronavirus disease or its complications, and that it will not infect other people.
It was also the biggest motivator for those who had already been vaccinated. Thus, 65% were vaccinated in order not to get sick and not to have complications from COVID-19. Only 14% said they did so on the recommendation of an employer or educational institution.
In general, 60% of all Ukrainians are positive about COVID-19 vaccination and 62% agree that vaccination against COVID-19 is necessary.
Why do some still doubt? Among the main reasons are the underestimation of the risks of COVID-19, the myths about vaccination and the reluctance to be re-vaccinated if necessary.
Read also: “Anti-vaccinators” blocked the streets in the centre of Kyiv (PHOTOS)
Among those who have not yet been vaccinated and do not wish to do so, most do not trust vaccines, believe that vaccination carries more risks than COVID-19, and do not want to experience a reaction to vaccines. And nearly a quarter believe they have medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccination, when in fact less than one percent of people may have absolute contraindications. Those who do not want to be vaccinated do not consider the pandemic a serious threat or COVID-19 a disease that needs to be vaccinated against at all.
More than half of those who do not want to be vaccinated would not trust the doctor’s advice, 48% did not discuss vaccination with a doctor, and 6% – the doctor did not recommend vaccination.
The study was conducted in September-October 2021 (before the introduction of the “red” zone in many regions) by the research agency Info Sapiens with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank. The survey was conducted by telephone. 2,006 people over the age of 18 were interviewed in all regions of Ukraine, except for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, uncontrolled by the government. The sample represents the adult population of Ukraine and corresponds to the data of the State Statistics Service as of 1.01.2020 by sex, age, size of settlement and macroregion.
To remind, Ukrainian vaccine against coronavirus is being tested on mice in the institute in Gdansk, Poland.
