64% Finns willing to take coronavirus vaccine

About 64 per cent of Finns are willing to take a coronavirus vaccine, if it becomes available and if it is recommended, finds a recent survey.

Sixteen per cent of the respondents were neither for nor against being vaccinated, while about 20 per cent said they would not take the vaccine and 10 per cent were adamant in their refusal, said the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), quoting the survey report.

“It is good that attitudes toward the coronavirus vaccine are fairly positive. The positive attitude toward the vaccine suggest that many will take it”, said THL Senior Researcher Jonas Sivelä.

A similar survey was also conducted in the spring, in which 70 per cent said they would take a coronavirus vaccine, if one became available and if it was recommended.

In the spring, people felt that the likelihood of catching coronavirus was higher than it is now, in the autumn. An increasing number of people now feel that catching the disease is less likely than in the spring.

“We know that the risk of catching the disease is a major reason for a positive attitude toward vaccination. The higher the risk of catching a disease is perceived to be the more positive is the attitude toward a vaccine that protects against it,” said Sivelä.

The greatest factor affecting willingness to take a coronavirus vaccine is how it protects the person being vaccinated and others against the disease.

“The fact that protecting others was almost equally important as protecting one’s own self is a clear indication of solidarity in people’s thinking. This is wonderful, and it promotes common efforts to get past the epidemic situation”, added Sivelä.

Factors such as how good the protection given by the vaccine against coronavirus, the possible harmful effects of the virus, the infection situation in Finland, and the recommendations given by healthcare professionals and health officials affect people's willingness to be vaccinated.

“People are interested in the coronavirus vaccine, and it also raises many questions. We will answer them in detail and quickly as new information becomes available. It is especially important for people to get accurate and researched information on the coronavirus vaccine and vaccinations”, said THL Communications Director Marjo Loisa.

According to the findings of both the studies conducted in the spring and the autumn, older people have a more positive attitude toward getting a coronavirus vaccine than young people do.

According to the most recent survey, as many as 82 per cent of the oldest age group, those over the age of 64, say that they will take the vaccine. In the youngest age group, those between 18 and 29 years of age, the figure is just 48 per cent.

“It is excellent, that people who are in the greatest danger from the disease take such a positive attitude toward the vaccine,” said THL Director Mika Salminen.