Around more than half of the people in the UK who were vehemently opposed to getting their COVID-19 vaccine have had their jab. Researchers at the University of Bristol and King’s College London found that about one in seven of vaccine sceptics who are yet to get their jab will be doing so once they are offered. The main driving force behind this change of heart was, according to quantitative social scientist and lecturer Dr Siobhan McAndrew, the benefits of being vaccinated in terms of travel and meeting people.
McAndrew stated that ‘part of the rise in vaccine confidence relates to social proof: people feel more confident because they observe others taking their vaccine with confidence.’ 84% of those who deemed themselves not at all likely to get the jab when asked in November last year have also received a jab. Many were also waiting and seeing, their confidence to get the vaccine being boosted by the evidence that the jab is safe and effective.
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Photo Source: Gustavo Fring