6 October 2021. VCIOM presents the findings of a survey devoted to the influenza vaccine.
More than half of Russians (61%) consider that vaccines do more good than harm, and this is an effective way to prevent infections. Every tenth (11%) opposes this stance; 15% of Russians believe that vaccines are neither harmful nor good. Over the recent two years the distribution of opinions on this issue has not changed much; however the share of Russians who do believe that vaccines are important has increased by 4 p.p. (57% in September 2019), and the share of those who consider vaccines useless has decreased by 8 p.p. (23% in September 2019).
More than half of Russians (56%) have ever been vaccinated against flu (75% of the 18-24-year-olds; 60% of those aged 60+). Over two years the share of those who have received an influenza vaccine has declined by 6 p.p. (62% in September 2019).
Fifteen percent of Russians decided to get themselves or family members a flu vaccine this year; a further 16% are likely to get vaccinated; 53% are not going to get vaccinated against flu this year; and 9% of respondents and their family members have already received a flu vaccine.
Seven percent of Russians (for each group) are not going to get vaccinated against flu either because they think the vaccines are useless or they do not want to do that; 6% are not eager to get vaccinated as they do not communicate with people much; 5% (for each group) are afraid of side effects, believe in their immunity system or do not believe in the effectiveness of vaccines.
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on September 15, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Now I am going to read out statements; which one are you more likely to agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | ||||
| IX.2019 | IX.2020 | II.2021 | IX.2021 |
Vaccines do more good than harm. This is an effective way to prevent infections | 57 | 57 | 60 | 61 |
Vaccines are neither harmful nor good. They are useless | 23 | 20 | 13 | 15 |
Vaccines do more harm than good. They are dangerous | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Don’t know | 9 | 11 | 15 | 13 |
Now I am going to read out statements; which one are you more likely to agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
Vaccines do more good than harm. This is an effective way to prevent infections | 61 | 57 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 70 |
Vaccines are neither harmful nor good. They are useless | 15 | 24 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 11 |
Vaccines do more harm than good. They are dangerous | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 7 |
Don’t know | 13 | 6 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 12 |
Have you ever been vaccinated against influenza or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents; “been vaccinated” responses) | |||
| IX.2019 | IX.2020 | IX.2021 |
I have been vaccinated | 62 | 59 | 56 |
Have you ever been vaccinated against influenza or not? | ||||||
| Total respondents | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
I have been vaccinated | 56 | 75 | 56 | 47 | 52 | 60 |
Are you going to get yourself or your family members an influenza vaccine, or not? Or have you/your family members been vaccinated against influenza? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
I/my family members have been vaccinated | 9 |
I/my family members are going to get vaccinated | 15 |
I/my family members are likely to get vaccinated | 16 |
I and my family are likely not to get vaccinated | 16 |
Neither I nor my family members will get vaccinated | 37 |
Don’t know | 7 |
If you/your family members are not going to get vaccinated against influenza this year, then why? (only those who are not going to get vaccinated against influenza; % of total respondents; open-ended question, not more than 5 answers) | |
| Total respondents |
Useless/ I think vaccines are ineffective/ I do not think it is important | 7 |
No desire/ I never did it and I won’t | 7 |
I do not communicate much with people / I rarely go to public places | 6 |
Afraid of side effects/ complications / consequences | 5 |
I lead a healthy lifestyle/ I believe in my immunity | 5 |
I do not think vaccines are effective / I do not believe the vaccine will help | 5 |
Health contraindications | 4 |
I do not trust the vaccine/ do not trust its components | 4 |
First I want to get vaccinated against COVID / I have recently been vaccinated against COVID | 3 |
Allergic, allergy to vaccine components | 2 |
Other | 14 |
Don’t know / Those who did not answer the question | 47 |