Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the UK household longitudinal study

Authors: Robertson, Elaine;

Reeve, Kelly S.;

Niedzwiedz, Claire L. ;

Moore, Jamie;

Blake, Margaret;

Green, Michael J. ;

Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal ;

Benzeval, Michaela J.

Source: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

Full text

: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.008

Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy could undermine efforts to control COVID-19. We investigated the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the UK and identified vaccine hesitant subgroups. The ‘Understanding Society’ COVID-19 survey asked participants (n = 12,035) their likelihood of vaccine uptake and reason for hesitancy. Cross-sectional analysis assessed vaccine hesitancy prevalence and logistic regression calculated odds ratios. Overall vaccine hesitancy was low (18% unlikely/very unlikely). Vaccine hesitancy was higher in women (21.0% vs 14.7%), younger age groups (26.5% in 16–24 year olds vs 4.5% in 75 + ) and those with lower education levels (18.6% no qualifications vs 13.2% degree qualified). Vaccine hesitancy was high in Black (71.8%) and Pakistani/Bangladeshi (42.3%) ethnic groups. Odds ratios for vaccine hesitancy were 13.42 (95% CI:6.86, 26.24) in Black and 2.54 (95% CI:1.19, 5.44) in Pakistani/Bangladeshi groups (compared to White British/Irish) and 3.54 (95% CI:2.06, 6.09) for people with no qualifications versus degree. Urgent action to address hesitancy is needed for some but not all ethnic minority groups.

Rights

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cite as

Robertson, E., Reeve, K., Niedzwiedz, C., Moore, J., Blake, M., Green, M., Katikireddi, S. & Benzeval, M. 2021, 'Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the UK household longitudinal study', Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 94(Supp C), pp. 41-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.008

Downloadable citations

HTML BIB RIS

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.008