New Delhi: With the conversation around a possible Covid-19 vaccine getting louder, a global survey has found that 74 per cent of adults in 27 countries would be willing to take the vaccine.
The survey, conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Ipsos, covered almost 20,000 adults in 27 countries, and found that only 26 per cent of them would not like to get themselves vaccinated.
Of the 27 countries surveyed, India ranks fourth — with 87 per cent adults expressing interest in getting a Covid vaccine, if available. Of these, 44 per cent ‘strongly agree’, another 44 per cent ‘somewhat agree’, while 9 per cent ‘somewhat disagree’ and 4 per cent ‘strongly disagree’.
China stands out, virtually topping the category with 97 per cent adults looking to get a vaccine and just 3 per cent stating they don’t want one.
Adults in Hungary, Poland and Russia are split on the decision, with 56 per cent, 56 per cent and 54 per cent adults, respectively, willing to get vaccinated.
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Side-effects prime reason for reluctance
The survey has listed six reasons people have given for the reluctance to get vaccinated — side-effects, doubts on its effectiveness, opposition to vaccines in general, lack of time, belief of not being susceptible to Covid-19 and ‘other’ reasons.
Globally, the majority (56 per cent) of those who said they won’t get the vaccine have expressed concerns about its possible side-effects.
In India, of those who are reluctant to get the vaccine, 46 per cent are worried about its side-effects, 23 per cent are not sure about its effectiveness, 37 per cent believe they are not at enough risk for Covid, 18 per cent don’t believe in vaccines, 12 per cent have other reasons and 4 per cent don’t have the time. The survey notes that multi responses were taken to account for figures exceeding 100 per cent.
Chinese most optimistic
The Chinese are the most optimistic that a vaccine will be available before the end of 2020.
Around 87 per cent of those surveyed in China believe there will be a vaccine before the end of the year.
India is not far behind, ranking third, with 75 per cent hopeful that a vaccine will be out this year.
Belgium, Japan and Poland remain skeptical with 23 per cent, 22 per cent and 22 per cent adults, respectively, believing a vaccine will be available this year. Those in Brazil, Mexico and Peru are split on this count.
Globally, the balance tips towards those who disagree, with 59 per cent of them believing a Covid-19 vaccine will not be available in 2020.
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The survey
The survey was conducted between 24 July and 7 August, covering 19,519 adults aged 18-74 in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey, and adults aged 16-74 in 22 other countries.
Samples in India, Argentina, Chile, Hungary, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, and Turkey consisted of 500 people, while it was twice as large for Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland), France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the US.
The survey represents the more urban, educated and affluent section of the general population in India, Brazil, Chile, China (mainland), Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey. The sample was more representative of the general population under the age of 75 in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the US.
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