Global vaccine confidence is rising, but France, Japan and others are skeptical

LONDON (Reuters) – People’s willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is growing around the world and more than half of respondents said they would take the chance if it was presented next week, an updated survey of the global vaccine confidence found Thursday.

But attitudes and confidence vary widely in the 15 countries surveyed, with France showing a lot of skepticism, and some Asian countries showing confidence in vaccines, while some European countries are seeing increasing confidence.

Overall, vaccine confidence is higher than in November, when the same survey – conducted in 15 countries and involving 13,500 people each time – found that only 40% would be willing to be vaccinated.

The survey, led by YouGov and the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI) of Imperial College London, found that people in Britain were most willing to have a COVID-19 vaccine, at 78%, followed by Denmark with 67%.

France had the highest percentage of respondents who said they would not take a vaccine, by 44%, but saw a doubling in the percentage strongly agreeing that they would take a vaccine, from 15% in November to 30% in January.

In Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, willingness to take a vaccine has declined since November, with Japan showing the least readiness, followed by Singapore.

“As vaccines will play a key role in combating the pandemic, leaders must now take action to help more people understand the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine and make sure no one is left behind,” said David Nabarro. , the collaborator of the IGHI, said director and an expert of the World Health Organization on COVID-19.

The survey is part of the efforts of the WHO and other bodies to monitor health-related behaviors and attitudes during the pandemic.

Since April 2020, researchers have surveyed more than 470,000 people worldwide. This most recent survey took place from 4 to 24 January.

It has been found that most people rely on vaccines, with two-thirds expressing strong or moderate confidence and only 12% not trusting at all. It has also been found that two-thirds of people believe that it is important for their health to be vaccinated.