A Medscape UK reader poll of 308 UK doctors found 4 in 10 would not have a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one is approved by the MHRA.
Online polling took place 18-23 November after the positive Pfizer/BioNTech results but with most responses received before the positive news about the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
Safety Concerns
Of those who wouldn't have the jab at this stage:
56% cited safety concerns
27% would rather wait
7% mentioned personal health reasons
14% had other reasons
Overall, 59% said vaccination for healthcare staff should not be compulsory. Among those who wouldn’t have the jab at this stage, 9 out of 10 were against compulsory staff vaccination.
Herd Immunity
Vaccination rates against SARS-CoV-2 of around 60-72% are thought to be needed to make it effective, according to a recent Lancet article.
Polling by Kantar of 1000 people carried out 10-11 November found 76% of people in Britain would have a vaccine for COVID-19.
That's fallen since June when 78% said they would be vaccinated.
In these latest results, 53% were worried about safety and the speed of development.
However, 57% were confident that a vaccine will not be dangerous if it is proposed by public authorities.
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Cite this: Tim Locke. Are UK Doctors Sceptical of COVID-19 Vaccine? - Medscape - Nov 25, 2020.
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