SWS: 51% of adult Filipinos ‘confident’ on the gov’t COVID-19 vaccine evaluation

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) — A recent survey revealed that only about half or 51% of adult Filipinos are confident on the government’s evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Of this number, 18% of the respondents said they are very confident and 34% somewhat confident, based on the Social Weather Stations poll. Meanwhile, 31% said they are uncertain, and 17% are not confident.

Confidence on the evaluation is highest in Mindanao at 58%, followed by Visayas (55%), Metro Manila (49%), and the rest of Luzon (47%).

The government started its immunization program in March. Prior to this, earlier surveys revealed that vaccine confidence among Filipinos is low due to safety and efficacy concerns.

To address this, the government implemented several information drives to properly educate the public regarding the coronavirus shots that the country will use. Several top government officials and medical chiefs were also vaccinated publicly to improve vaccine confidence.

Respondents were also asked about their willingness to be vaccinated, of which 32% said they are willing to receive their coronavirus shot, 35% uncertain, and 33% unwilling.

Among respondents who are very confident on the evaluation of the government, 58% said they are willing to be inoculated.

Meanwhile, those willing to be vaccinated said they will do it for their safety and protection against the coronavirus (41%), or to avoid contracting the virus (30%).

Other common answers were: for family’s protection against COVID-19 (9%), to stop the spread of the virus (6%), required in workplace (6%), it is safe and proven effective (5%), to be able to go out without the worry of catching coronavirus (4%), it is for free (4%), following what is being required (3%), I already got my vaccine (2%), because others received theirs already (1%), and others (2%).

Among those uncertain and unwilling to get immunized, top reason cited was the possible side effects at 39% and 30%, respectively.

Other reasons given by those uncertain and unwilling were “it’s not safe and effective,” they might die or have heard reports of fatality due to vaccination, they do not trust the vaccine, they have comorbidity or are too old, or they might get sick or might contract the virus, among others.

Per area, percentage of those willing to receive a COVID-19 jab is highest in Metro Manila (41%), followed by Mindanao (34%), Visayas (32%), and Balance Luzon (28%).

Willingness to be vaccinated also increases with education at 50% among college graduates, 34% among junior high school graduates, and 25% each for elementary graduates and non-elementary graduates. Confidence on the government’s evaluation, meanwhile, does not depend on the respondent’s educational level.

The First Quarter 2021 nationwide survey was conducted from April 28 to May 2 through face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults 18 years old and above. The sampling error margins are ±3% for national percentages and ±6% for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.