Health and Healthcare Systems

3 in 4 adults around the world say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine

People wearing face masks walk at a shopping area, after Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control announced that wearing face masks are no longer mandatory outdoor in Beijing, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, China August 21, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang - RC25II9FQLSJ

Respondents from China were the most likely to say they'd get a vaccine once available.

Image: REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

  • New survey shows a majority of people would get a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • But people are not optimistic that one is likely to be ready by the end of 2020.
  • For those who wouldn’t get the vaccine, concern about side effects was the most commonly cited reason.

A new Ipsos survey, conducted on behalf of the World Economic Forum, shows that three-quarters of adults would get a vaccine for COVID-19 if it were available.

But nearly two-thirds (59%) don’t think one will be available by the end of 2020.

The study, which covers nearly 20,000 adults in 27 countries, also reveals where in the world take-up would be strongest.

Would you get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Of those surveyed, 74% strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement “if a vaccine for COVID-19 were available, I would get it”.

In China, this figure rose to 97%, but was lowest in Russia, Poland and Hungary.

Global Attitudes on a COVID-19 Vaccine interest in getting vaccine. Image: Ipsos

If not, why not?

The survey also asked those who said they wouldn’t get the vaccine why they wouldn’t consider it.

Globally, 56% said they were worried about the side effects, 29% had concerns about its effectiveness and 17% said they were against vaccines in general.

Ipsos Survey for WEF reasons for not getting a vaccine. Image: Ipsos

But will it be ready?

Nearly 3 in 5 adults don’t think a vaccine will be available to them by the end of 2020.

But, as with interest in getting a vaccine, China stands out. Nearly 90% of those surveyed strongly or somewhat agreed a vaccine is likely to be ready.

Ipsos Survey for WEF vaccine ready 2020. Image: Ipsos

Numerous pharmaceutical companies are working on vaccine trials and candidates, while organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi and CEPI are also working to develop a vaccine and ensure any future solution is available for those most in need.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, has warned about the risks of “vaccine nationalism: “Sharing finite supplies strategically and globally is actually in each country's national interest,” he said in August, as he urged WHO Member States to join the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility.

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