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Every second respondent would like to get vaccinated against COVID-19, if a vaccine is available. Most importantly, the vaccination should be voluntary, Russians say.

MOSCOW, May 19, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the survey data describing the Russian attitudes towards the vaccination against COVID-19.

A majority of Russians (70%) consider that vaccination against COVID-19 should be voluntary. Every fifth (21%) would agree to get vaccinated if the vaccine has proved effective in clinical testing. Six percent of Russians do not think that vaccination should be introduced in Russia.

More than half of Russians are potentially interested in getting vaccinated: 59% say they would be willing to get vaccinated or are likely to get vaccinated/vaccinate their family if the vaccine has proved effective. In addition, every fourth respondent is very eager to get vaccinated (26%).

Those who are more likely to be willing to get vaccinated against VOCID-19 are men (63%), young people aged 18-24 (68%) and respondents aged 45+ (63% of the 45-59-year-olds and 70% of those aged 60+); respondents aged 25-34 and 35-44 (47% and 46, respectively) are less likely to agree to that. Of those who show their loyalty to the vaccine (those who got vaccinated against influenza last year) 71% are more likely to agree to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

One-third of respodnents say they would refuse the vaccination against COVID-19 (35%). This share is higher among those aged 25-34 and 35-44 (47% and 49, respectively).

Of those Russians who accept the vaccine, 47% would opt for a Russian manufacturer; 12% would choose a foreign one; one-third of respondents say the country of the vaccine manufacturer does not matter to them (37%).

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on May 13, 2020. Survey was commissioned by Octagon Media. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A 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 in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

 

Today many laboratories are working to produce a vaccine against COVID-19.  In your opinion, should Russia introduce immunization against COVID-19 if a vaccine proves effective? If you think Russia should, would you like it to be voluntary or obligatory?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Obligatory

21

Voluntary

70

Russia should not introduce immunization against COVID-19

6

Don’t know

3

If a vaccine against COVID-19 appears in Russia, will you and your family oppose or accept vaccination? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Those who got vaccinated against influenza

Those who did not get vaccinated against influenza

I/my family would definitely accept this vaccination  

26

33

21

I/my family is likely to accept this vaccination 

33

38

30

I/my family is likely to oppose this vaccination 

18

14

21

I/my family would definitely oppose this vaccination 

17

8

23

Don’t know

6

7

5

If a vaccine against COVID-19 appears in Russia, will you and your family oppose or accept vaccination? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Men

Women

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 and over

I/my family would definitely accept this vaccination 

26

30

21

30

18

19

25

35

I/my family is likely to accept this vaccination 

33

33

30

38

29

27

38

35

I/my family is likely to oppose this vaccination 

18

14

21

16

26

24

15

11

I/my family would definitely oppose this vaccination 

17

17

17

13

21

25

14

13

Don’t know

6

5

7

2

6

5

7

7

If you are to choose the vaccine manufacturer, which one would you choose – a Russian manufacturer or a foreign one? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who definitely accept or are likely to accept vaccination against COVID-19 - 59% of respondents)

 

Total respondents

Russian vaccine

47

Foreign vaccine

12

The manufacturer does not matter to me

37

Don’t know

4

Did you (your family members) get vaccinated against influenza last year, or not?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

2018

2020

Yes

37

38

No

62

61

Don’t know

1

1

 

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.

Read the article in Russian