Data for: "Vaccine Confidence and Hesitancy at the start of COVID-19 vaccine deployment in the UK: An embedded mixed-methods study"

The study used a mixed-methods approach based upon an online survey and an embedded quantitative/qualitative design to explore perceptions and attitudes associated with intention to either accept or refuse offers of vaccination in different demographic groups during the early stages of the UK’s mass COVID-19 vaccination programme (December 2020). Key outputs include: a tabular dataset containing survey responses, a data dictionary that explains survey data variables, an R scripts that enable reproduction of analyses (Analysis_Script.R), and an ancillary R script providing patched functions for parallel imputation, (parlmice_commands.R).

Additional Information

Summary of Findings: Of 4,535 respondents, 85% (n=3,859) were willing to have a COVID-19 vaccine. The rapidity of vaccine development and uncertainties about safety were common reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. There was no evidence for the widespread influence of mis-information, although broader vaccine hesitancy was associated with intentions to refuse COVID-19 vaccines (OR 20.60, 95% CI 14.20-30.30, p<0.001). Low levels of trust in the decision-making (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.08, 2.48, p=0.021) and truthfulness (OR 8.76, 95% CI 4.15-19.90, p<0.001) of the UK government were independently associated with higher odds of refusing COVID-19 vaccines. Compared to political centrists, conservatives and liberals were respectively more (OR 2.05, 95%CI 1.51-2.80, p<0.001) and less (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.22-0.41, p<0.001) likely to refuse offered vaccines. Those who were willing to be vaccinated cited both personal and public protection as reasons, with some alluding to having a sense of collective responsibility. Conclusions: Dominant narratives of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy are misconceived as primarily being driven by misinformation. Key indicators of UK vaccine acceptance include prior behaviours, transparency of the scientific process of vaccine development, mistrust in science and leadership and individual political views. Vaccine programmes should leverage the good will evoked by citizenship and collective responsibility.

Keywords

Vaccine Confidence, Vaccine Hesitancy, COVID-19, Coronavirus, COVID-19 vaccination programme, SARS-CoV-2