Most Filipino adults worry about getting infected with COVID-19, according to a Pulse Asia survey conducted in late February. However, majority of them do not want to get vaccinated due to safety concerns.
Pulse Asia conducted a survey this year from February 22 to March 3, asking 2,400 adults how they feel about the coronavirus situation. About 94% of those interviewed said they are concerned that either they or their family members may get infected with the virus. During this time, the Philippines was still recording less than 3,000 new cases per day and the total was nearing 600,000.
According to the pollster, over 90% of interviewees from all areas, except Mindanao which had 89%, were worried about COVID-19. The rest are either not worried or cannot say if they are concerned about the virus or not.
It was shown by the survey that practically every Filipino adult is aware of the vaccines being developed in various countries such as China (100% were aware), the US (99%), Russia (97%), the United Kingdom (96%), and India (93%). However, their trust in the vaccines is a different story as 63% admitted they do not trust vaccines from China. Meanwhile, the leading sentiment for trust in American vaccines was at 44%. On the UK-made and Russia-made jabs, the sentiment is both undecided with 43% and 40% saying so. As for India, there were same percentages for distrust (45%) and ambivalence on the matter (43%).
The survey also showed 61% or six in 10 Filipino adults were not inclined to receive any available vaccine. The sentiment was shared by majorities in all areas, said Pulse Asia. Only 16% said they are willing to get vaccinated while 23% are undecided.
The main reason is uncertainty in the vaccines’ safety with 84% citing this reason. About 74% of the undecided interviewees also gave the same explanation. The remaining respondents said they are hesitating either because the vaccine might not be effective, it is not needed, it might not be free, or it might be too expensive.
