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Exploration of attitudes regarding uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among vaccine hesitant adults in the UK: a qualitative analysis

Exploration of attitudes regarding uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among vaccine hesitant adults in the UK: a qualitative analysis
Exploration of attitudes regarding uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among vaccine hesitant adults in the UK: a qualitative analysis
Background The aim of this work was to explore barriers and facilitators to uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and to explore views and reactions to efforts to improve vaccine uptake among vaccine hesitant individuals. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people between the age of 18–29 years who had not had a COVID-19 vaccine, and those between 30 and 49 years who had not had a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Results A total of 70 participants took part in the study, 35 participants had received one dose, and 35 had not been vaccinated. Participants described a willingness to be vaccinated to keep themselves and those around them safe and to avoid restrictions. Barriers to uptake included: (1) perceived lack of need for COVID-19 vaccinations, (2) concerns about the efficacy of vaccinations, (3) concerns about safety, and (4) access issues. Uptake appeared to be influenced by age and health status, trust in government, and knowledge and understanding of science. Introduction of vaccine passes may provide a motive for having a vaccine but may be viewed as coercive. Conclusion Participants were hesitant, rather than opposed, and had questions about their need for, and the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Young people did not consider themselves to be at risk of becoming ill from COVID-19, did not think the vaccination was effective in preventing transmission, and did not think sufficient research had been conducted regarding possible long-term side-effects. Concerns were exacerbated by a lack of trust in government, and misunderstanding of science. To promote uptake, public health campaigns should focus on the provision of information from trusted sources that explains the benefits of vaccination and addresses safety concerns more effectively. To overcome inertia in people with low levels of motivation to be vaccinated, appointments must be easily accessible.
COVID-19, Qualitative, Vaccine hesitancy, Young adults
1471-2334
1 - 14
Denford, Sarah
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Mowbray, Fiona
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Towler, Lauren, Brittany
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Wehling, Helena
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Lasseter, Gemma
ed36b7c6-a473-48fb-b844-7e9fc52fa897
Amlot, Richard
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Oliver, Isabel
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Yardley, Lucy
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e
Hickman, Matthew
72706c4c-8f95-4c96-8213-09d93df93312
Denford, Sarah
f88c386b-aa89-4089-a074-0ea2f452cce5
Mowbray, Fiona
9d52c712-c35e-4669-98cc-fa0ce486a31e
Towler, Lauren, Brittany
ebb4fb4e-703f-4e52-a9dc-53e72ca68e8f
Wehling, Helena
c138d9ee-6ac0-4ad2-8fb8-1d4625fdba0a
Lasseter, Gemma
ed36b7c6-a473-48fb-b844-7e9fc52fa897
Amlot, Richard
d93f5263-ea24-4b12-b505-f51694220b8e
Oliver, Isabel
1598f598-b35d-42a4-9695-9b57c5ab15e9
Yardley, Lucy
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e
Hickman, Matthew
72706c4c-8f95-4c96-8213-09d93df93312

Denford, Sarah, Mowbray, Fiona, Towler, Lauren, Brittany, Wehling, Helena, Lasseter, Gemma, Amlot, Richard, Oliver, Isabel, Yardley, Lucy and Hickman, Matthew (2022) Exploration of attitudes regarding uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among vaccine hesitant adults in the UK: a qualitative analysis. BMC Infectious Diseases, 22 (1), 1 - 14, [407]. (doi:10.1186/s12879-022-07380-9).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background The aim of this work was to explore barriers and facilitators to uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and to explore views and reactions to efforts to improve vaccine uptake among vaccine hesitant individuals. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people between the age of 18–29 years who had not had a COVID-19 vaccine, and those between 30 and 49 years who had not had a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Results A total of 70 participants took part in the study, 35 participants had received one dose, and 35 had not been vaccinated. Participants described a willingness to be vaccinated to keep themselves and those around them safe and to avoid restrictions. Barriers to uptake included: (1) perceived lack of need for COVID-19 vaccinations, (2) concerns about the efficacy of vaccinations, (3) concerns about safety, and (4) access issues. Uptake appeared to be influenced by age and health status, trust in government, and knowledge and understanding of science. Introduction of vaccine passes may provide a motive for having a vaccine but may be viewed as coercive. Conclusion Participants were hesitant, rather than opposed, and had questions about their need for, and the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Young people did not consider themselves to be at risk of becoming ill from COVID-19, did not think the vaccination was effective in preventing transmission, and did not think sufficient research had been conducted regarding possible long-term side-effects. Concerns were exacerbated by a lack of trust in government, and misunderstanding of science. To promote uptake, public health campaigns should focus on the provision of information from trusted sources that explains the benefits of vaccination and addresses safety concerns more effectively. To overcome inertia in people with low levels of motivation to be vaccinated, appointments must be easily accessible.

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Accepted/In Press date: 11 April 2022
Published date: 26 April 2022
Keywords: COVID-19, Qualitative, Vaccine hesitancy, Young adults

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 457313
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/457313
ISSN: 1471-2334
PURE UUID: 2c17d5f2-59af-4672-804f-7f40bb151623
ORCID for Lauren, Brittany Towler: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-6597-0927
ORCID for Lucy Yardley: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3853-883X

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Date deposited: 01 Jun 2022 16:30
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:47

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Contributors

Author: Sarah Denford
Author: Fiona Mowbray
Author: Lauren, Brittany Towler ORCID iD
Author: Helena Wehling
Author: Gemma Lasseter
Author: Richard Amlot
Author: Isabel Oliver
Author: Lucy Yardley ORCID iD
Author: Matthew Hickman

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