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A fifth of people in the UK say they are unlikely to get a coronavirus vaccine if one is approved, a study found highlighting “worrying” levels of misinformation.
Three-quarters (78%) of the 17,500 adults surveyed by University College London (UCL) researchers said they would be “likely” to get vaccinated, and 49% said they were “very likely”.
But 22% said this was unlikely, and one in 10 said it was “very unlikely,” with factors including concerns about unforeseen effects, preferences for natural immunity, concerns about commercial speculation, and distrust of benefits. of the vaccine.
Nearly one in three (30%) showed substantial beliefs that vaccines can cause unknown future problems, while 15% said they believed to varying degrees that vaccines don’t work.
Twice as many people (21%) said it would be “highly unlikely” to get the flu vaccine compared to those who said the same for the Covid-19 vaccine, and 64% said they were likely to.
The study authors said their findings suggest that there is a substantial and worrying level of misinformation among the public and highlight fears that “lack a basis in fact.”
UCL’s Covid-19 Social Study, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, is the UK’s largest study of how adults feel during confinement.
More than 70,000 people have been questioned weekly for the last 26 weeks.
Lead author Dr. Daisy Fancourt, UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, said: “Our study highlights a worrying level of misinformation about vaccines, which could significantly affect absorption once a vaccine is approved. Covid-19 vaccine.
“While most people have said they are likely to receive a Covid-19 vaccine once it becomes available, a worrying number of respondents have said that not only will they not get the vaccine, but they don’t believe the vaccines will work or worrying about possible side effects, concerns that have no basis in fact.
“It is essential that the government and public health organizations make known the importance of getting vaccinated and explain why it will be essential to fight the virus and protect society.
More than a third (38%) of respondents reported believing to varying degrees that natural immunity is better than immunity to vaccines.
More than half (53%) said they believe vaccines can cause unforeseen effects, while a quarter reported that they believe vaccines are used for commercial purposes.
And 4% said they strongly believe that vaccine programs are a scam by pharmaceutical companies and that public authorities promote vaccination for financial gain.
Cheryl Lloyd, head of the Nuffield Foundation’s educational program, said: “These findings reveal valuable information about public concerns about vaccines and highlight the importance of building public trust in the safety and efficacy of a Covid-19 vaccine, particularly in a time when there is a significant lack of confidence in the government’s response to the pandemic.
“Given people’s reasons for mistrusting vaccines, transparency about scientific evidence and the role of commercial providers is likely to be a key factor in gaining public trust, as is involving the public in the making process. of decisions ”.
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