Views about COVID-19 vaccination in Europe: results from a general population survey (the PuV-CoVa study)

Marija Zafirovska, Kristien Coteur, Aleksandar Zafirovski, Jelena Danilenko, Heidrun Lingner, Nicola Buono, Christine Bruetting, Liljana Ramasaco, Vanja Lazic, Monika Brovč, Fatbardha Skenderi, Felix Bauch, Erjona Abazaj, Michael Harris, Ana Lesac Brizić

Keywords: COVID-19; Vaccination; Survey; Primary Care

Background:

Vaccination has greatly reduced mortality from COVID-19, but is not accepted by all. Although concerns about safety and efficacy play a part in this, little is known about the general public’s views about the advantages and disadvantages of COVID-19 vaccination, what other factors influence their vaccination decision-making, and their information needs.

Research questions:

What are the views of Europeans without a healthcare qualification on COVID-19 vaccination, and what factors influence these views?

Method:

An online questionnaire in eight European countries examined people’s willingness to be vaccinated, their motivation, vaccination status, vaccine preference, and their information needs. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively and with logistic regression. Qualitative data was analysed thematically with inductive coding.

Results:

Of the 1008 respondents, 60% were female, their median age was 38 years (IQR: 28-58), and 80% had been vaccinated for COVID-19. While 44.1% agreed that ‘COVID-19 vaccines are safe’, 36.3% disagreed. Younger people, and those who felt that they were well informed about the different COVID-19 vaccines available in their countries, were more likely to agree that the vaccination is effective and necessary.
Health and social aspects were described as advantages by some participants, and as disadvantages by others. A sense of contribution and protection motivated many, while others preferred to acquire ‘natural immunity’ because they did not belong to an at-risk group. Other barriers to uptake included concerns about the vaccine’s rapid development and lack of information on long-term effects. Vaccination uptake could be increased by education, with information from experts working outside the pharmaceutical industry, and improving communication with hard-to-reach populations.

Conclusions:

The public’s views on COVID-19 vaccination show great variation. Although most respondents (80%) were vaccinated, they had conflicting views on its benefits, for both health and social aspects. The availability of unbiased expertise was considered to be especially valuable.

Points for discussion:

What do these results mean for your practice? How should you change your interaction with patients?

What might cause variation in the general public’s views on vaccination across Europe?

How would these views compare to those of healthcare professionals?