Article
Details
Citation
Stead M, Jessop C, Angus K, Bedford H, Ussher M, Ford A, Eadie D, MacGregor A, Hunt K & MacKintosh AM (2021) National survey of attitudes towards and intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19: implications for communications. BMJ Open, 11 (10), Art. No.: e055085. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055085
Abstract
Objectives
To examine public views on COVID-19 vaccination and consider the implications for communications and targeted support.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
Online and telephone nationally representative survey in Great Britain, January to February 2021.
Participants
4978 adults. Survey response rate was 84%, among the 5931 panellists invited.
Main outcome measures
Sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, education, financial status), COVID-19 status, vaccine acceptance, trust in COVID-19 vaccination information sources, perceptions of vaccination priority groups and perceptions of importance of second dose.
Results
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance (83%) was associated with increasing age, higher level of education and having been invited for vaccination. Acceptance decreased with unconfirmed past COVID-19, greater financial hardship and non-white British ethnicity; black/black British participants had lowest acceptance. Overall, healthcare and scientific sources of information were most trusted. Compared with white British participants, other ethnicities had lower trust in healthcare and scientific sources. Those with lower educational attainment or financial hardship had lower trust in healthcare and scientific sources. Those with no qualifications had higher trust in media and family/friends. While trust was low overall in community or faith leaders, it was higher among those with Asian/Asian British and black/black British ethnicity compared with white British participants. Views of vaccine prioritisation were mostly consistent with UK official policy but there was support for prioritising additional groups. There was high support for having the second vaccine dose.
Conclusions
Targeted engagement is needed to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in non-white British ethnic groups, in younger adults, and among those with lower education, greater financial hardship and unconfirmed past infection. Healthcare professionals and scientific advisors should play a central role in communications and tailored messaging is needed for hesitant groups. Careful communication around vaccination prioritisation continues to be required.
Keywords
COVID-19; epidemiology; immunology; public health
Journal
BMJ Open: Volume 11, Issue 10
Status | Published |
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Funders | UKRI UK Research and Innovation |
Publication date | 31/10/2021 |
Publication date online | 28/10/2021 |
Date accepted by journal | 05/10/2021 |
URL | http://hdl.handle.net/1893/33561 |
Publisher | BMJ |
eISSN | 2044-6055 |
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