Journal article 375 views 42 downloads
Public decisions about COVID-19 vaccines: A UK-based qualitative study
,
Christopher J. Armitage,
Kim Dienes ,
John Drury,
Tova Tampe
PLOS ONE, Volume: 18, Issue: 3, Start page: e0277360
Swansea University Authors:
Simon Williams , Kim Dienes
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Copyright: © 2023 Williams et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1371/journal.pone.0277360
Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore UK public decisions around whether or not to get COVID-19 vaccines, and the facilitators and barriers behind participants’ decisions.DesignThis qualitative study consisted of six online focus groups conducted between 15th March and 22nd April 2021. Data were analysed using a fram...
| Published in: | PLOS ONE |
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| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62253 |
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| Abstract: |
ObjectiveTo explore UK public decisions around whether or not to get COVID-19 vaccines, and the facilitators and barriers behind participants’ decisions.DesignThis qualitative study consisted of six online focus groups conducted between 15th March and 22nd April 2021. Data were analysed using a framework approach.SettingFocus groups took place via online videoconferencing (Zoom).ParticipantsParticipants (n = 29) were a diverse group (by ethnicity, age and gender) UK residents aged 18 years and older.ResultsWe used the World Health Organization’s vaccine hesitancy continuum model to look for, and explore, three main types of decisions related to COVID-19 vaccines: vaccine acceptance, vaccine refusal and vaccine hesitancy (or vaccine delay). Two reasons for vaccine delay were identified: delay due to a perceived need for more information and delay until vaccine was “required” in the future. Nine themes were identified: three main facilitators (Vaccination as a social norm; Vaccination as a necessity; Trust in science) and six main barriers (Preference for “natural immunity”; Concerns over possible side effects; Perceived lack of information; Distrust in government;; Conspiracy theories; “Covid echo chambers”) to vaccine uptake.ConclusionIn order to address vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy, it is useful to understand the reasons behind people’s decisions to accept or refuse an offer of a vaccine, and to listen to them and engage with, rather than dismiss, these reasons. Those working in public health or health communication around vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, in and beyond the UK, might benefit from incorporating the facilitators and barriers found in this study. |
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| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Issue: |
3 |
| Start Page: |
e0277360 |