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In a recent survey, 4 out of 10 Norwegians responded that they would not take a corona vaccine if it were available now. The skepticism contrasts with the traditionally strong belief of the Norwegian population in vaccines.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg tells Dagbladet that she understands there may be uncertainty about a corona vaccine. At the same time, she warns that it will be more difficult to reopen society if too small a proportion of the population chooses to be vaccinated.
– I think it is important to show that we really follow the protocols to test and test vaccines. I understand that uncertainty can arise when you see other countries start testing at an early stage, Solberg tells Dagbladet and continues:
– But if we have too few who get vaccinated, eventually it will be more difficult to let go. And it is the consideration for those who become seriously ill that is crucial.
Puts people in danger
Solberg believes that people who, for example, refuse to receive the measles vaccine, contribute to exposing others to danger.
– It must also be taken into account that for all vaccines, there will be groups that cannot be vaccinated. This often applies to people from the most vulnerable group. So that they don’t have to isolate themselves completely, we all need to think about our own responsibility to get vaccinated, says Solberg, continuing:
– I believe, for example, that those who do not want to receive the measles vaccine in Norway help to make it more dangerous for those who cannot get vaccinated. They help expose others to some kind of danger.
Survey
The aforementioned survey has been conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Dagbladet, and 926 people have participated. The results show that 49 percent respond that they are willing to receive a vaccine against covid-19 if it is available next week. 39 percent respond that they are not willing to do so, while 12 percent are not sure.
Experts agree that the main reason for the survey results is probably that the population knows that there will not be a vaccine that is approved for use in the population until next week.
– I think the results are due to the fact that they were asked to get vaccinated next week. Many people know that the main candidate vaccines are still in phase three, and that this data will take time to complete and analyze, Gunnveig Grødeland, a researcher at the Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine at the University of Oslo, told Dagbladet.
Two factors
Anne Spurkland, an immunologist and professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at UiO, mentioned two other possible causes of uncertainty: the speed of development and Donald Trump.
– It takes time to develop a vaccine. Previously, the fastest vaccine had been developed in four years, while now a vaccine will be developed for months. Experts in the field refer to this as fast speed. And precisely this speed of development can create uncertainty among the population, Spurkland told Dagbladet and continued:
– The processes observed in other countries can also generate uncertainty. For example, concerns have been raised that Donald Trump may influence health authorities to urgently approve a vaccine to win the election, without a solid professional foundation.
Both the Norwegian Health Directorate, the National Institute of Public Health, Health Minister Bent Høie, Grødeland and Spurkland agree that more information and transparency are needed to increase public confidence in a corona vaccine.
