Covid vaccine: Preference for AstraZeneca drops but overall confidence is steady, UK study shows

Vast majority of respondents believe available jabs are safe and effective despite blood clot concerns

Public preference for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has declined since last month following reports of rare blood clotting incidents, but overall confidence in the available Covid-19 jabs in the UK remains high, according to new research.

A survey of nearly 5,000 adults, conducted between 1 and 16 April, found that 17 per cent of the public said they would prefer to have the AstraZeneca jab, down from 24 per cent towards the end of March.

It also found that 23 per cent of respondents believed the coronavirus vaccine caused blood clots, up from 13 per cent last month,

However, the survey showed concerns about a possible link to rare blood clots had not dented the overall levels of confidence in the vaccines, as 81 per cent said the jabs were safe, up from 73 per cent towards the end of 2020.

The vast majority of respondents also believed that the vaccines were effective, with 86 per cent supporting the statement, up from 79 per cent late last year.

Researchers from the University of Bristol, King’s College London and the NIHR Health Protection Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response surveyed 4,896 UK adults aged 18 to 75 earlier this month to get the results.

“The blood clot scare has affected how some of the public view the AstraZeneca vaccine – but has not reduced confidence in vaccines overall,” Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, said.

“In fact, the trend has been towards increased commitment to get vaccinated – and quickly – as the rollout has progressed so well, with no sign of serious widespread problems.

“People have had more time and real-world experience to help them make up their minds.”

In another sign of growing confidence in the vaccination programme, there has also been an increase in eagerness to get a Covid jab, with 46 per cent of those who have not been vaccinated yet saying they were certain to accept the jab when offered, up from 36 per cent late last year.

Overall, 73 per cent of those who had not yet been vaccinated said they were at least fairly likely to get the jab now.

However, there has also been an increase in those who say they will definitely not get the vaccine, with the figure rising from 7 per cent in July 2020 to 12 per cent in the latest study.

Professor Duffy noted that those who were previously sceptical about the vaccine had “affirmed their views” following the confusion around reports of rare blood clotting incidents.

“This shows there is still no room for complacency in clearly communicating the vital benefits of vaccination, given the need to cover a very large proportion of the population in order to truly contain the virus,” he added.

The study included a longitudinal sample, meaning it followed the same individuals that were interviewed in Nov/Dec 2020 so researchers could compare the responses and ask respondents who had changed their minds what had led to that decision.

The researchers found that two of the key reasons for the increase in willingness to get vaccinated were the desire to go on holiday and wanting to protect their own families and the wider community.