Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the UK Household Longitudinal Study

Overview

Journal Brain Behav Immun

Publisher Elsevier

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2021 Mar 13

PMID 33713824

Citations 355

Authors

Elaine Robertson

Kelly S Reeve

Claire L Niedzwiedz

Jamie Moore

Margaret Blake

Michael Green

Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi

Michaela J Benzeval

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy could undermine efforts to control COVID-19. We investigated the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the UK and identified vaccine hesitant subgroups. The 'Understanding Society' COVID-19 survey asked participants (n = 12,035) their likelihood of vaccine uptake and reason for hesitancy. Cross-sectional analysis assessed vaccine hesitancy prevalence and logistic regression calculated odds ratios. Overall vaccine hesitancy was low (18% unlikely/very unlikely). Vaccine hesitancy was higher in women (21.0% vs 14.7%), younger age groups (26.5% in 16-24 year olds vs 4.5% in 75 + ) and those with lower education levels (18.6% no qualifications vs 13.2% degree qualified). Vaccine hesitancy was high in Black (71.8%) and Pakistani/Bangladeshi (42.3%) ethnic groups. Odds ratios for vaccine hesitancy were 13.42 (95% CI:6.86, 26.24) in Black and 2.54 (95% CI:1.19, 5.44) in Pakistani/Bangladeshi groups (compared to White British/Irish) and 3.54 (95% CI:2.06, 6.09) for people with no qualifications versus degree. Urgent action to address hesitancy is needed for some but not all ethnic minority groups.

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