High but slightly declining COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and reasons for vaccine acceptance, Finland April to December 2020

Epidemiol Infect. 2021 May 11:149:e123. doi: 10.1017/S0950268821001114.

Abstract

We investigated likelihood to vaccinate and reasons for and against accepting a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine among adult residents of Finland. Vaccine acceptance declined from 70% in April to 64% in December 2020. Complacency and worry about side effects were main reasons against vaccination while concern about severe disease was a strong motive for vaccination. Convenience of vaccination and recommendations by healthcare workers were identified as enablers for vaccination among those aged under 50 years. Understanding barriers and enablers behind vaccine acceptance is decisive in ensuring a successful implementation of COVID-19 vaccination programmes, which will be key to ending the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; KAP study; vaccine acceptance; vaccine hesitancy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines*
  • Female
  • Finland
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vaccination Refusal* / psychology
  • Vaccination Refusal* / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccination* / psychology
  • Vaccination* / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines