The Centre for Social Change (CSC), University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) have published a new research briefing on the public\u2019s willingness to take a Covid-19 vaccine, and reasons for their decision.<\/p>\n
The findings are based on the UJ\/HSRC Covid-19 Democracy Survey, undertaken between 29 December 2020 and 6 January 2021, which polled 10,618 participants.<\/p>\n
Findings were weighted by race, education and age, and are broadly representative of the population at large. The questionnaire was available in the country\u2019s six most widely spoken languages.<\/p>\n
The findings show that the majority of respondents are willing to take a vaccine.<\/p>\n
However, the research also shows that\u00a0race, education and age play a role in shaping vaccine acceptance.<\/p>\n
The survey also focused on the politics of the participants, with the municipal elections scheduled for later this year.<\/p>\n
In terms of voting intention, acceptance was as follows. ANC: 78%, DA: 65%, EFF: 62%, other parties: 67%. Among those who did not intend to vote, acceptance was much lower, only 48%.<\/p>\n
Among those who thought the President was doing a good or very good job in handling the Covid-19 outbreak, acceptance was 73%, but among those who thought, he was doing a bad or very bad job, it was only 36%.<\/p>\n
Why people will take the vaccine<\/strong><\/p>\n Among acceptances, most people spoke about protecting themselves or others, and often both.<\/p>\n The most commonly cited reasons for non-acceptance (which included the \u2018don\u2019t knows’ as well as those who said they would definitely or probably not take the vaccine).<\/p>\n By comparison, the most commonly cited justifications for not taking a vaccine were about effectiveness, side effects and uncertainty about testing.\u00a0 Many people said they needed more information. Only 10% referred to conspiracy theories.<\/p>\n “Our analysis shows that vaccine hesitancy comes down to a range of legitimate concerns about a vaccine developed and rolled-out in record time, as well as some distrust in the government and corporations,” said Professor Narnia Bohler-Muller from the HSRC .<\/p>\n “We need a vaccine literacy campaign that provides factual information that will sway the waverers.\u201d<\/p>\n Professor Kate Alexander from UJ said it is excellent news that such a large and representative survey shows that 67% now want to take the vaccine. “The biggest challenge is to make sure that the majority get what they want.\u201d<\/p>\n
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