The alleged tendencies of division in the Cypriot society in relation to vaccines and vaccination are confirmed by the pan-Cypriot study conducted by the IMR Organization / University of Nicosia in collaboration with members of the team of special associates of the Federation of Patients' Associations of Cyprus (previous OSAKs) although the vast majority (39%) of the more than 2,000 participants say that they have no problem dealing with those who disagree with their point of view, as they consider it a human right to do as they think best for themselves, a percentage 22% (almost one in four) state that he can not communicate with people who do the opposite and a 6% that he does not even include them in his social circle.
The findings of the research are sufficiently revealing of the prevailing beliefs among the Cypriot society regarding coronavirus vaccination, as they reflect the various approaches that exist, as well as the arguments put forward by the citizens for the controversial, but crucial Public Health, this issue.
In particular, the results of the research provide answers to critical questions and shed light on the reasons why a portion of the world views vaccines with great suspicion, refusing to be vaccinated, as well as the reasons why another portion of the population has reservations and concerns. , wondering whether he will be vaccinated or not. It also sheds light on the reasons why most citizens have already been vaccinated, while at the same time reflecting the climate in society in terms of the degree of acceptance of the opposite view.
The general conclusion that emerges from the research is that, the vast majority of citizens may have been vaccinated, however, there are still fears, some of which could be characterized as valid, but also fears that have as a starting point the phenomenon of conspiracy theories, paraphilology and misinformation.
In general, the results of the research show that there is a majority current of acceptance of the vaccine, since 87% of the participants have either been vaccinated or plan to be vaccinated in the near future. 7% appear concerned about whether or not they will be vaccinated, while only 6% make the categorical position that they will not be vaccinated. The highest rate of acceptance of the vaccine is recorded in the age group of 60 years and over, where more than nine out of ten (92%) state that they have already been vaccinated. The corresponding percentage in the age group 41-60 is at 89%, in the age group 31-40 at 84% and in the age group 18-30 at 79%.
In other words, it appears that as the age decreases, the percentage of those who see the vaccination with a positive lens decreases, while in terms of gender, no differences are observed. Specifically, both 88% of men and 88% of women say that they have been vaccinated or that they intend to be vaccinated in the near future.
Detailed results of the study:
The research is divided into three groups. People who have been vaccinated, people who are concerned and citizens who categorically state that they will not be vaccinated.
Those who have been vaccinated and the reasons why they did it:
For people who have already been vaccinated or are planning to be vaccinated, the most important reasons why they have been vaccinated or persuaded to do so are their belief that the virus is a serious threat to global health (76%), the fact that they trust experts, science and doctors to fight the pandemic (67%), but also their perception that non-vaccination prevents us from returning to normalcy (54%). There is also a strong opinion that vaccines have proven to be beneficial over time (52%), while an important reason why they were convinced to be vaccinated was the fact that they did not want to put their family and friends at risk (49%). In addition, among other things, to the equation of the reasons that persuaded them to be vaccinated is added by a significant percentage their finding that most people have been vaccinated without any particular problem or side effect (28%).
The reservations and concerns of those concerned:
As for those who are skeptical about vaccination, their biggest concern about whether they will be vaccinated stems from the rapid development of vaccines, which makes them skeptical (64%). At the same time, the source of concern is the various possible negative side effects on their health, such as causing thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (45%), myocarditis (40%), allergic reactions (33%), and affecting fertility (23%). In addition, the perception that they will be vaccinated raises concerns about whether they will be vaccinated and can even lead to death (39%).
Reasons for refusing those who say they will not be vaccinated
Lack of trust in the Government and in particular in how it manages the pandemic through vaccination (77%), as well as the fact that they are not convinced that vaccination will bring the desired results (71%) are the two main reasons for those who oppose vaccines refuse to be vaccinated.
In addition to the above, the great debate and controversy that arises among scientists regarding the issue of vaccines (63%), as well as the fact that they do not trust those who claim to be experts in pandemic issues, act as a deterrent to the prospect of vaccination. 61%). There are also perceptions that "the virus is fabricated and the vaccine was created to serve interests" (49%) and that "vaccination is an attempt to completely control and oppress our freedoms by the state" (42%), while expressing and concerns about causing permanent damage through new technology used by vaccines (42%). In fact, some believe that the new vaccine technology will change their genetic code (9%). Refusal to vaccinate also arises as a result of the perception that the vaccine can cause death (41%), as well as due to the belief in alternative treatments (36%).
A divided society?
Despite the different perceptions and approaches to vaccination among the Cypriot society, the majority of the citizens, 39%, face the dissidents without any problem, as they consider that it is a human right of everyone to do as he believes best for himself. 20% approach those who have done the opposite of themselves with sober discussion and convincing dialogue, while 22% on the other feel that they can not communicate. For 8%, their different actors are indifferent, 6% do not include them in their social circle and 2% treat them with contempt and contempt.
The identity of the research:
The research was conducted by the IMR Organization / University of Nicosia in collaboration with the Cyprus Patients' Associations Federation (OSAK). The time of the survey was August 2021 and the sample size amounted to 2,038 people. The sample was selected by stratified random sampling and included an equal number of men and women aged 18 and over. The data were collected through telephone and online interviews using a structured questionnaire, on a nationwide scale and covering both urban and rural areas.
The person in charge of the research was Professor Konstantinos N. Fellas, Senior Vice Rector at the University of Nicosia and a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SCC). The scientific team consisted of Dr. Konstantinos Tsiotis, Assistant Professor of the Medical School of the European University and head of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SCC) and Dr. Christos Petrou, Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Nicosia and Advisor to the Minister.