1 in 5 Brits say they’re ‘unlikely’ to get coronavirus vaccine amid misinformation and trust fears
A FIFTH of Brits say they are unlikely to get a coronavirus jab - even if one is approved, a study has found.
The new research highlights "concerning" levels of misinformation around vaccines - with more than half fearing "unforeseen effects".
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It comes after the Government's chief scientific officer revealed small amounts of a coronavirus vaccine could be ready before the end of the year.
Sir Patrick Vallance said a number of candidates have shown they can generate an immune response that ought to be protective.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said a “mass roll-out” of a vaccine could be seen in the early part of next year.
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Polling by the University College London (UCL) found that three-quarters of 17,500 adults surveyed said they would be "likely" to get vaccinated, with half saying they were "very likely" to do so.
But 22 per cent said this was unlikely, and one in 10 said this was "very unlikely", with factors including worries about unforeseen effects, preferences for natural immunity, concerns about commercial profiteering, and mistrust of vaccine benefits.
Almost one in three showed substantial beliefs that vaccines can cause unknown future problems, while 15 per cent said they believed to varying degrees that vaccines do not work.
Twice as many people (21 per cent) said they would be "very unlikely" to get the flu vaccine compared with those who said the same for the Covid-19 vaccine, with 64 per cent saying it was likely they would do so.
The study authors said their findings suggest there is a substantial and worrying level of misinformation among the public and highlight fears that "lack any basis in fact".
UCL's Covid-19 Social Study, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, is the UK's largest study into how adults are feeling during lockdown.
More than 70,000 people have been questioned weekly over the past 26 weeks.
'Affect uptake'
Lead author Dr Daisy Fancourt, from UCL's Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, said: "Our study highlights a concerning level of misinformation around vaccines, which could significantly affect uptake once a Covid-19 vaccine is approved.
"Whilst the majority of people have said they are likely to get a Covid-19 vaccine once one is available, a worrying amount of respondents have said that not only will they not get the vaccine, but that they don't believe vaccines work or worry about potential side-effects, concerns that lack any basis in fact.
"It is critical the Government and public health bodies publicise the importance of getting a vaccination, and explain why it will be critical in fighting the virus and protecting society."
More than a third (38 per cent) of respondents reported believing to varying degrees that natural immunity is better than immunity from vaccines.
Over half (53 per cent) said they believe vaccines can cause unforeseen effects, while a quarter reported believing that vaccines are used for commercial profiteering.
And four per cent said they strongly believe that vaccine programmes are a con from pharmaceutical companies, and public authorities promote vaccination for financial gain.
Vaccine distrust
Cheryl Lloyd, education programme head at the Nuffield Foundation, said: "These findings reveal valuable insights into public concerns about vaccinations and highlight the importance of building public trust in the safety and efficacy of a Covid-19 vaccine, particularly at a time when there is a significant lack of confidence in the Government response to the pandemic.
"Given people's reasons for distrust of vaccines, transparency about the scientific evidence and the role of commercial providers is likely to be a key factor in gaining public trust, as is involving the public in the decision-making process."
Prof Gino Martini, chief scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: “There is a real challenge in enabling people to overcome their worries about vaccinations, which are often based on inaccurate information they’ve heard or seen online.
"Scientific evidence and public trust are at variance to some extent but vaccines have played a significant role in preventing the spread of many diseases.
"They are why smallpox has been eradicated and there hasn't been a case of polio caught in the UK since the mid-80s."
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He continued: “Effective vaccines for coronavirus will be a central plank to protecting the health of all of us, especially the most vulnerable, and helping us all back to a more normal way of life.
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"But for vaccination to work and establish immunity across communities, we need the public to embrace them as they have done for years with regular flu vaccinations.
"Vaccines will only be used if their benefits far outweigh the risk, a principle which underpins all medicines development.”