INZ Survey: Two-thirds of respondents support immunization

(Patria) - The Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica (INZ) prepared and published a survey at the beginning of this month, the results of which will be used to research communication strategies and promotional activities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The questions in the anonymous survey were in line with the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan in FBiH, and according to INZ data, out of almost 38,000 people who informed themselves about the survey, 1,712 people residing in the Zenica-Doboj Canton completed all the answers.

Interestingly, while the ratio of those interested in the survey was 58 to 42 in favor of women, among those who completed the survey, the "braver" sex was even more represented, as women constituted 68 percent of all respondents.

Citizens are for vaccines if they are administered in other countries

- Our intention was to assess attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination among citizens of ZDC, identify main sources of information, shortcomings in information flow, and the most trusted sources for disseminating information related to existing vaccines and their effectiveness, states doc. dr. Nino Hasanica, coordinator of the internal INZ Crisis Staff for Health and Educational Activities during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Among the respondents, when asked if they would receive a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, the most common answer was "definitely YES" - 29.2 percent and "definitely NO" - 21.1 percent. This was followed by "Probably YES" - 20.3 percent, "I am not sure" - 16.3 percent, and "probably NO" - 13.3 percent.

The results of this survey indicate that two-thirds of the population supports the immunization process or is still considering it, while every fifth respondent is already convinced "against" the process that is current and ongoing worldwide.

When asked what kind of information influences the decision to vaccinate, the most common answer among as many as 1,125 respondents was "If the vaccine had been in use for a longer time," while 469 people support vaccination "If the vaccine is used in other countries.".

Among the interesting answers in the survey is that as many as 30.4 percent of all 1,712 respondents believe that vaccination should be mandatory, while 23.6 percent completely exclude that option. Also, almost 60 percent of respondents believe or think (fully or partially) that by getting vaccinated they will be able to avoid at least some of the measures in place (public gatherings, group activities, protective equipment...).

As a source for obtaining safe and verified information, respondents most often cite healthcare professionals from the public health system (816) or family medicine healthcare professionals (695).

Finally, when asked about their general attitude towards vaccines, including seasonal flu, vaccines administered to children, etc., almost three-quarters (74.3 percent) of all respondents have a completely or partially positive opinion, while about ten percent of respondents have a negative opinion about vaccines.

Profile of respondents

By age, most respondents are between 18 and 30 years old (30.8 percent), 31 to 40 years old (28.5 percent), and 41-50 years old (23.7 percent).

Respondents most often stated higher education or university degree (51.5 percent) and secondary four-year school (27.1 percent) as their educational attainment. 68.8 percent were employed, and 18.4 percent were unemployed. As their place of residence, respondents most often indicated a city (61 percent) or a suburban settlement (22.8 percent).