Public Vaccination Reluctance: What Makes Us Change Our Minds? Results of A Longitudinal Cohort Survey

The paper presents a longitudinal cohort survey on the public acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination and real vaccination levels. A survey on a representative sample of adult Polish citizens (n = 1066) was conducted in June 2020 and, one year later, the same group was approached to compare the hypothetical declarations with the real vaccination decisions (n = 438). A significant part of the group that declared reluctance and hesitation toward COVID-19 vaccination before that vaccination was available actually got vaccinated or plans to get vaccinated. Those respondents were asked about the reasons for changing their attitudes. Among the previously vaccine-reluctant individuals, the main reasons included concern about their health and safety (50%) and their desire to travel (26.6%). Vaccine-hesitant individuals also indicated health and safety as their primary concern (69%), as well as the pursuit of herd immunity and a notion of common social safety (12.6%). The main factors helping to increase vaccination acceptance are based on a self-centered pursuit of safety and freedom from restrictions. The survey results may help to prepare a more effective vaccination campaign.

Automated summary

This paper presents a longitudinal cohort survey on the public acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination and real vaccination levels. It found that a significant portion of individuals who initially expressed reluctance or hesitation towards the vaccine eventually got vaccinated or have plans to do so. The main reasons for their change in attitude included concern for their health and safety, as well as the desire to travel. The main factors contributing to increased vaccination acceptance were focused on personal safety and freedom from restrictions.