Coronavirus (COVID-19): highest risk - survey report - July 2021

Vaccination for those at highest risk

We wanted to understand people’s vaccination status and any barriers to getting vaccinated.

98% of respondents (n4511) had received both doses of the vaccine.

Of the 87 people who had not received both doses of the vaccine:

• 46% had received one dose
• 54% had not had a vaccination

Of the 38 people who had not received a second dose of the vaccine, the primary reason was having had a bad reaction to the first dose (32%). The next highest number of responses was ‘another reason’ (26%). The most common of these open text responses were from people who had been through changes to treatment/medication for their condition, or had been ill in between doses, and were advised to wait for a period of time until they could get their second dose.

Of the 46 people who had not had a vaccination, the most common reasons for not going ahead with vaccinations were:

• being worried about the side effects (30%)
• thinking the vaccination had been developed too quickly (28%)
• not feeling confident that the vaccine had been tested on people with their health condition (26%)
• being unable to get vaccinated because of their condition (24%)

Those who selected ‘another reason’ (17%) gave a range of reasons including: being pregnant, waiting for a specific vaccine to become available in their area and having a bad reaction to other vaccinations.

Booster vaccinations

95% planned to get a booster vaccination when it was offered to them. The most common reasons given by the 218 people who did not want a booster vaccination or felt unsure were:

• they had a bad reaction to the first doses of the vaccine (32%)
• they didn’t understand the benefits of a booster vaccination (30%)
• another reason (21%)

Alternative reasons for not wanting a booster vaccination included: concerns about the side effects and safety of the vaccines, wanting more information on effectiveness of the vaccine (with a number of respondents mentioning the use of antibody tests to reassure them) and concerns about the long term effects of the vaccine.

Whether people have had both doses of the vaccine

Yes	98%
No	2%
Response count	4511

Whether people have had their first dose of the vaccine

Yes	46%
No	54%
Response count	87

Whether people plan to take up the offer of a booster vaccination

Yes	95%
No	1%
Don’t know / haven’t decided yet	4%
Response count	4516

Reasons why people have not had a second dose of the vaccine

I had a bad reaction to the first dose	32%
Another reason	26%
I haven’t receive any information about my appointment	21%
I have heard about people having bad reactions to the second dose of the vaccine	8%
I had a bad experience getting my first vaccination	8%
I have an appointment booked but have not been to get my second dose yet	8%
It has been difficult to travel to a vaccination centre	5%
I don’t feel safe going into a healthcare setting to have the vaccine	3%
It has been difficult to find the time to get to a vaccine centre	3%
I don’t think the vaccine will work for me	3%
Response count	38

For ‘Another reason’ (26%) – the most common open text responses were from people who had been through changes to treatment/medication for their condition, or had been ill in between doses and were advised to wait for a period of time until they could get their second dose.

Reasons why people have not had a vaccine

I am worried about the side effects	30%
I think the vaccination has been developed too quickly	28%
I don’t feel confident it has been tested on people with my health condition	26%
I can’t be vaccinated because of my condition	24%
Another reason	17%
The person at highest risk is not eligible for a vaccine because they are under 16	17%
I have been advised by my GP or clinician not to get the vaccination	15%
I am concerned about the ingredients used in the vaccine	15%
I don’t think the vaccine will be safe	15%
I don’t think the vaccine will be effective	13%
I feel I am protected enough by the precautions I’m already taking (e.g. washing my hands, staying socially distanced from other people)	11%
I think I have already had coronavirus, so don’t need a vaccine	7%
I don’t like needles/I’m frightened of needles	4%
I’m against vaccines in general	4%
I don’t feel safe going into a healthcare setting to have the vaccine	2%
I don’t think coronavirus poses enough of a risk to me, so I don’t need a vaccine	2%
I’ve not been able to get transport to a vaccination centre	2%
I don't know	0%
No particular reason	0%
It has been difficult to find the time or get to an appointment for a vaccination	0%
I am too nervous about leaving the house to get a vaccine	0%
Response count	46

Those who selected ‘another reason’ (17%) gave a range of reasons including: being pregnant, waiting for a specific vaccine to become available in their area and having a bad reaction to other vaccinations.

Reasons people would not take up a booster vaccine

I had a bad reaction to my first doses of the vaccine	32%
I don’t understand the benefits of a booster vaccine	30%
Another reason	21%
I don’t think a booster vaccine will protect me	11%
I am confident that the first two vaccines will give me enough protection	6%
I can’t be vaccinated for health reasons	6%
I don’t know	4%
No particular reason	3%
I don’t feel safe going into a healthcare setting to have the vaccine	3%
I don’t like needles/I’m frightened of needles	3%
The person at highest risk is not eligible for a vaccine because they are under 16	2%
Response count	218

For ‘another reason’ (21%), the most common responses were: concerns about the side effects and safety of the vaccines, wanting more information on effectiveness of the vaccine (with a number of respondents mentioning the use of antibody tests to reassure them) and concerns about the long term effects of the vaccine.