Flattening the Curve of COVID-19 Vaccine Rejection—A Global Overview

Abstract

Current levels of public acceptability of immunisation put at serious risk the effectiveness of any future anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination programs. High levels of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy are reported even from countries severely affected by the pandemic.

A survey on a representative sample of adult Polish citizens (n=1066) was conducted, showing that 28% of adults in Poland would not vaccinate against SARS-CoV-2 if the vaccine became available. A majority (51%) of the reluctant respondents indicated that their minds would not be changed if given information regarding vaccine safety or efficacy, or if threatened with heavy fines. Significantly fewer respondents (37%) supported COVID-19 vaccinations specifically than supported childhood vaccinations in Poland in general (78% in 2018).

Subsequently, a systematic search of nationally representative and methodologically sound surveys identified a total of 20. The vaccine hesitancy for the hypothetical, yet anticipated COVID-19 vaccine varied from very low (2–6% China) to very high (43%, Czechia, and 44%, Turkey).

A legislative action, as well as the creation of sound and coherent common international public policies, should precede the availability of effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine.

Note: Funding: This research was funded by the joint grant from the Warsaw University and the Medical University of Warsaw Federation

Conflict of Interest: We declare no competing interests.

Keywords: vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, anti-vaxers, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2