Italian Adults' Likelihood of Getting COVID-19 Vaccine: A Second Online Survey

Rapid online surveys are an important tool for tracking the public's knowledge and perceptions during infectious disease outbreaks. In June 2020, during the early phases of COVID-19 vaccines development, we conducted a survey in 885 Italian adults that aimed at assessing their attitudes and opinions about vaccination, in addition to their vaccine literacy levels (i.e., skills in finding, understanding, and using information about vaccines). In January 2021, the same questionnaire was administered to a similar population (n = 160). Interactive vaccine literacy was significantly higher in January 2021 than in June 2020 (mean score 3.38 vs. 3.27 respectively, p = 0.0021). The percentage of participants willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 assessed by either-or questions, was equally high in both surveys (>90%), which is quite reassuring, although metrics based on categorical scales cannot identify hesitant subjects.

Automated summary

Rapid online surveys are essential for monitoring public attitudes and knowledge during infectious disease outbreaks. A study in Italy found that interactive vaccine literacy levels were significantly higher in January 2021 compared to June 2020, and over 90% of participants in both surveys expressed willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19.