Changes in Attitudes towards the COVID-19 Vaccine and the Willingness to Get Vaccinated among Adults in Poland: Analysis of Serial, Cross-Sectional, Representative Surveys, January–April 2021

• Main Authors: Filip Raciborski, Mateusz Jankowski, Mariusz Gujski, Jarosław Pinkas, Piotr Samel-Kowalik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Vaccines
• Subjects: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; vaccinations; vaccine hesitancy; vaccines; Poland
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/9/8/832

In December 2020, the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was authorized in the European Union. This study aimed to assess the changes in attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine and the willingness to get vaccinated among adults in Poland between January and April 2021. Secondary data analysis was carried out using data obtained from nationally representative cross-sectional surveys (four consecutive waves: January 2021, <i>n</i> = 1150; February 2021, <i>n</i> = 1179; March 2021, <i>n</i> = 1154; April 2021, <i>n</i> = 1131) carried out by the Public Opinion Research Center. About 31.3% of individuals declared a lack of willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 regardless of the study wave. Significant changes (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were observed by gender and age. The highest percentage of respondents who declared a lack of willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 was observed in the youngest age group (18–34 years), 48.5% among males and 45.6% among females. Among individuals over 65 years of age, males significantly more often declared their willingness to be vaccinated than females (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The main argument against the COVID-19 vaccine was concern about the potential side effects. Differences in attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine in respect of gender and age indicate the need to implement personalized communications to encourage different social groups to vaccinate against COVID-19.