Majority of unvaccinated cant be convinced to get Covid jab

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In an EU-wide Eurobarometer survey, the majority of unvaccinated persons indicated that nothing could persuade them to receive a COVID vaccine.

Although the Eurobarometer reports that attitudes regarding the Covid vaccine and the EU's vaccine strategy are generally positive, vaccine-hesitant respondents make up 5%, with the largest numbers seen in Latvia, Bulgaria, and Estonia.

In the EU, the anti-COVID-19 immunization group accounts for 8% of the total. However, when looking at individual nations, Bulgaria has the largest, followed by Slovakia and Slovenia. It exceeds 20% in each of the three countries.

The research discovered that respondents' attitudes regarding vaccination are related to their age. Those aged 55 and over are far more inclined to support immunization.

In a February study of over 26,000 people in the EU, 82% stated they are pro-vaccination, meaning they have been vaccinated and have had a booster or would like to have one.

COVID-19 measures, such as mandatory mask use inside, are being phased out across the EU. The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned countries to be cautious, particularly given the transmissibility of the BA.2 omicron subvariant.

The main reason for refusing vaccination was listed as the fact that "the Covid-19 vaccines have not sufficiently been tested."

Worrying about the possible side effects of the vaccine, as well as the effectiveness of the jab, was also listed as a reason for refusing the shot. 

When asked what would persuade them to change their minds on the shot, 30% of respondents said they would be more willing to get vaccinated if they saw "more serious forms of COVID-19 among people who are not vaccinated."

Approximately three-tenths of those polled said they would be encouraged to get the vaccine if they saw that "more people have already been vaccinated and we see that it works and that there are no major side-effects" or if there was full clarity on their development, testing, and authorization.

There were other less typical reasons for individuals being more keen to get vaccinated, such as a doctor's suggestion, knowing that the people who prescribe the vaccinations are vaccinated themselves and if vaccines are created in the EU.

However, 65% of those opposed to vaccination said that nothing could persuade them to be vaccinated.

Those who had previously been immunized reported that protecting themselves and their families from severe sickness, hospitalization, and death were key motivators for becoming vaccinated.