On the basis of the research, according to Kanne, it can be concluded that fear and distrust of the vaccine has decreased in all kinds of areas in the past month. The many explanations from experts in the media may play a role in this. For example, the percentage of Dutch people who are afraid of side effects fell from 11 to 8 percent. The opponents’ objections in principle remain at the same level.
The elderly are still the most willing to get vaccinated; people aged 25 to 50 the least. But willingness to vaccinate increased in all age groups, most strongly in the 35 to 49 category.
Constituency SGP, Forum least willing
It also plays a role whether people know someone who has been seriously ill or who has died from covid-19. Of that group, 77 percent plan to get vaccinated. People who have been infected themselves have less of that.
Voters of PvdA, GroenLinks, CDA, VVD and D66 are the most likely to be vaccinated. While the supporters of Forum for Democracy and the SGP are the least.
The differences are minor within the healthcare personnel. The greatest willingness to vaccinate is in primary care (including GPs), hospital and mental health care. It is lowest in youth care.
The vast majority of healthcare workers have had to deal with infections in their own institution at some point (42 percent) or even frequently (31 percent) since the start of the corona crisis. More than a third predict problems with vaccinating patients or clients, but only 5 percent have major problems.
Fear of stress in the disabled
People in care for the disabled and mental health care expect a relatively large number of difficulties. “The mentally challenged thrive on routine and stress avoidance,” says one. “Vaccination will not be easily understood and will be stressful.”
In nursing and care homes 40 percent expect (some) problems, because they often have to deal with elderly people with dementia. “These people do not understand what is expected of them,” says one employee. Another thinks that the vaccinations can go well. “I think most will just get vaccinated without thinking about the consequences.”
Most of the health workers think they can handle this operation, in one way or another: “The flu shot will work too.”
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