Survey says 36% of Filipinos still disinclined to get COVID-19 jabs

A health worker in Ilocos Norte prepares to administer a vaccine against COVID-19. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte provincial government)

MANILA, Philippines — While the percentage of Filipinos inclined to get COVID-19 vaccines “significantly” increased, 36 percent still said they are disinclined to get inoculated against the deadly disease, the latest Pulse Asia survey showed Monday.

According to the June 2021 survey of Pulse Asia, 43 percent of Filipinos are inclined to get vaccinated against COVID-19, an increase from the 16 percent recorded in February this year back when the national government was just rolling out its vaccination program.

However, the June 2021 survey likewise showed that 36 percent of Filipinos said they are not going to get COVID-19, while 16 percent said they are still undecided. The remaining 5 percent, meanwhile, said they are already fully or partially vaccinated.

The respondents were asked the question: “Now that there are vaccines against COVID-19, will you get vaccinated or not?”

“With the start of the vaccination program in March 2021 and medical frontliners, senior citizens, and those with underlying health problems getting the first COVID-19 jabs, the percentage of Filipino adults inclined to get vaccinated goes up to 43% in June 2021,” the survey noted.

The survey showed that concern about vaccine safety is the leading reason why some Filipino adults are disinclined to get vaccinated.

“This is the predominant reason across geographic areas and socio-economic area among those not inclined to get a COVID-19 jab and those who cannot say whether or not they will get vaccinated,” the survey said.

According to the survey, other reasons include questions on the efficacy of the vaccines, belief that a vaccine is not needed to combat COVID-19 and vaccine cost.

“While concern about vaccine safety eases between February 2021 and June 2021 among those disinclined to get vaccinated, the reverse holds true among those ambivalent about vaccination,” the survey noted.

Meanwhile, the survey showed that reasons that will convince those who are disinclined or undecided to get vaccinated to receive the vaccine include:

• Seeing that relatives, friends, and/or acquaintances who have been vaccinated are safe;
• Doctor or healthcare provider says COVID-19 vaccines are safe;
• Government official or medical professional goes to our place to explain that COVID-19 vaccines are safe;
• When national government officials get vaccinated;
• When it is required for work/employment

Worried about COVID-19

The same survey showed that practically all Filipinos are worried about COVID-19.

The survey stated that 96 percent of Filipinos are concerned that they or any member of their household will get sick with COVID-19—of this number, 69 percent said they are “very much worried” about this possibility.

“Levels of concern about contracting COVID-19 remain virtually unchanged between February 2021 and June 2021 at the national level as well as across geographic areas and socioeconomic groupings,” the survey said.

Three-quarters of Filipino adults or 75 percent are of the view that members of their community should get vaccinated against COVID-19, the survey noted.

EDV