Vaccine Hesitancy: Summary of results
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Public Health Sudbury & Districts conducted a bilingual vaccine hesitancy survey from August 5 to 18, 2021. The purpose of the survey was to gain an understanding from the general public about reasons for vaccine hesitancy in the community. The survey was targeted to members of the public and was administered by volunteers in public locations near vaccination clinic sites (for example grocery store parking lots or municipal parks).
- Sample
- Intention to become vaccinated
- Received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- Reasons for vaccination
- Encouragement of others to become vaccinated
- Knowledge of others who decided not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
- Reasons why others are not becoming vaccinated
- Conclusion
Sample
- 714 respondents completed the survey
- 99% of respondents conducted the survey in English
- 1% of respondents completed the survey in French
- 87% reported residency in Greater Sudbury*
- 13% reported residency in the districts**
- 42% of respondents were between the ages of 25 and 45
* Greater Sudbury includes Capreol, Coniston, Falconbridge, Garson, Skead, Wahnapitae, Walden, Lively, Azilda, Chelmsford, Valley East, Onaping Falls and Copper Cliff
** The districts include the Espanola area, Chapleau area, Sudbury East area, and Manitoulin Island
| Reported place of residency | Percentage/ Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Greater Sudbury | 87 (622) |
| Lacloche Foothills/Espanola area | 4 (25) |
| Sudbury East | 5 (42) |
| Chapleau area | 0 (0) |
| Manitoulin Island | 4 (25) |
| Total | 714 |
| Participant age | Percentage/ Count (n) |
|---|---|
| 12-17 | 14 (94) |
| 18-24 | 14 (91) |
| 25-34 | 21 (142) |
| 35-45 | 21 (142) |
| 46-56 | 16 (106) |
| 57-67 | 11 (70) |
| 68-105 | 3 (18) |
| Total | 100 (663) |
Intention to become vaccinated
Key Findings:
- 67 respondents did not receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
- 100% intended on becoming vaccinated
| Intend to be vaccinated | Percentage/Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Yes | 100 (67) |
| No | 0 (0) |
| Total | 67 |
Received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Key Findings:
- 90% of respondents reported receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
- 9% of respondents reported not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine
| Have you received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine? | Percentage/ Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Yes | 90 (649) |
| No | 9 (68) |
| Total | 721 |
Reasons for vaccination
Key Findings:
Respondents who reported being vaccinated, identified the following reasons for their choice:
- 57% reported to stop the spread of COVID-19
- 55% identified to stay safe
- 53% reported for family and friends
- 44% identified keeping others safe
- 41% reported a return to normal
“Other” specified reasons shared included: protecting elderly family members, protecting colleagues at work, reducing the spread of the Delta variant, and preventing future lockdowns
| What was your reason for vaccination? | Percentage/Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Stopping the spread | 57 (370) |
| Staying safe | 55 (357) |
| Family/friends | 53 (341) |
| Keeping others safe | 44 (283) |
| Return to normal | 41 (263) |
| Travel/vacation | 35 (229) |
| Health | 31 (198) |
| Work | 27 (177) |
| Education | 21 (133) |
| Sports | 14 (91) |
| Medical/ at-risk | 13 (84) |
| Other | 5 (32) |
| Pregnant | 1 (7) |
| Total | 648 |
Responses shared in the “other” category include the following quotes.
“Preventing the spread to elder family members”
“Required by public health.”
“Willing to make a difference”
“Peer pressure and I’m worried about the delta variant.”
Encouragement of others to become vaccinated
Key Findings:
- 62% of respondents that received at least one dose of vaccine encouraged others to become vaccinated
- 34% of respondents reported not actively encouraging others to become vaccinated
| Have you encouraged others to become vaccinated? | Percentage/Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Yes | 62 (406) |
| No | 34 (220) |
| Prefer not to answer | 4 (29) |
| Total | 655 |
Knowledge of others who decided not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
Key Findings:
- 68% of respondents that have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine reported knowing someone who is unvaccinated
- 31% reported not knowing anyone who is unvaccinated
| Do you know anyone who decided NOT to get a COVID-19 vaccine? | Percentage/Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Yes | 68 (474) |
| No | 31 (219) |
| Prefer not to answer | 1 (12) |
| Total | 694 |
Reasons why others are not becoming vaccinated
Key Findings:
- 517 respondents identified reasons why others are not becoming vaccinated
- 43% identified fear of long-term impacts of the COVID-19 vaccine
- 36% identified fear of side-effects from the COVID-19 vaccine
- 27% reported influence from COVID-19 rumours and conspiracies
- 26% noted lack in government trust
- 25% indicated the speed of which the vaccine was fabricated
- “Other” specified reasons identified, included: allergies to vaccines (anaphylactic), medical issues, religious beliefs, eugenics, and mental health and addiction challenges
| Reasons of others NOT getting vaccinated | Percentage/Count(n) |
|---|---|
| Fear of long-term impacts | 43 (221) |
| Fear of side effects | 36 (188) |
| Rumours/conspiracies | 27 (141) |
| Do not trust government | 26 (134) |
| Vaccine was made too quickly | 25 (129) |
| Drug/government conspiracies | 21 (108) |
| Personal choice | 19 (98) |
| Vaccine is not safe | 19 (96) |
| Other (specify) | 13 (67) |
| Do not need it (herd immunity) | 12 (63) |
| Do not trust health care | 11 (56) |
| I’m young/healthy | 10 (53) |
| Fear of blood clots | 10 (50) |
| Do not like needles/afraid | 9 (45) |
| Won’t make a difference | 9 (44) |
| Survival rate is high | 9 (44) |
| COVID does not/will not affect me | 9 (44) |
| Will alter my DNA | 8 (42) |
| Friends say “don’t” | 7 (37) |
| Unnatural product | 6 (30) |
| Had a bad reaction to vaccine | 6 (30) |
| Waiting | 4 (22) |
| Reproductive impacts | 4 (21) |
| Prefer alternative medicine | 4 (21) |
| Religious/cultural | 4 (21) |
| Will catch COVID from vaccine | 4 (20) |
| Had bad medical experience | 3 (18) |
| Parent/guardian says “don’t” | 3 (14) |
| Doctor says “don’t” | 3 (15) |
| No time to get vaccinated | 2 (9) |
| Already had COVID | 2 (9) |
| Do not want to line up | 2 (9) |
| Pregnant | 2 (9) |
| Wait for one-shot | 2 (9) |
| Cannot get to a clinic | 1 (6) |
| Cannot take time off work | 1 (5) |
Respondents shared various statements about alternative reasons why others are not becoming vaccinated.
“Cannot receive due to health.”
“Distrust in media.”
“Should go to others who are more in need.”
“More fear of vaccine than COVID.”
“Concerned about the science that there haven’t been adequate clinical trials.”
Conclusion
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is aware that vaccine hesitancy is an important issue. To better understand how to support the public with hesitancies, this survey was initiated. These results will be used to inform planning of ongoing vaccination opportunities and development of website content and communications messaging. Tips and practice scenarios for talking with others about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the following webpage A conversation guide to build vaccine confidence in our communities.
This item was last modified on October 28, 2021