But only 14% believe in vaccination as the main method of fighting the virus
DEMOSCOPE Bureau of Public Opinion Express Monitoring conducted a survey of citizens on the topic Kazakhstanis’ Attitude to Coronavirus Vaccination. In total, from 13 to 17 November 2020, 1,100 people were interviewed in 14 regions and cities of republican significance (Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Shymkent). The survey was conducted in the Kazakh and Russian languages through telephone calls to landline numbers. 53% of men and 47% of women over 18 years old took part in the survey. The sampling was based on the subscriber base of stationary telephone numbers in Kazakhstan. For this sample, the maximum size of the statistical error with 95% probability does not exceed 3%.
Exactly a year ago, the first case of COVID-19 was registered in China. Since that moment, people have been in search of an effective method to fight the coronavirus. In November, three vaccines were announced: the Russian Sputnik V, the vaccine co-produced by the German company BioNTech and the American Pfizer, and the experimental vaccine mRNA-1273 by Moderna Inc. made in the USA.
In this context, the readiness of citizens for mass vaccination to protect against COVID-19 is extremely important. The results of the DEMOSCOPE poll showed that the level of Kazakhstanis’ confidence in coronavirus vaccination is critically low.
In total, 45% of citizens do not want to receive the vaccine, 21% of whom are categorically against vaccination, as they consider it dangerous to health. More than a third of the respondents do not yet consider this possibility and are vaccinated only after all the necessary tests. Only 14% of respondents consider vaccination to be the only effective way to protect themselves from coronavirus and plan to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.
One of the important indicators of public sentiment is the rating of the most effective vaccine. In this question, the majority of respondents – 31% – prefer the Russian-made vaccine. 26% of Kazakhstanis consider the domestic vaccine as the most safe and high-quality. 10% of citizens consider the most effective drug made in Germany. And only 3% and 1% give preference to manufacturers from the USA and China. Probably the Sputnik V vaccine received the greatest trust among Kazakhstanis due to the obvious influence of Russian media on the opinion of citizens in Kazakhstan.
The level of public support for quarantine measures directly affects their effectiveness. In June 2020, DEMOSCOPE Bureau of Public Opinion Express Monitoring measured the attitude of citizens to a possible repetition of quarantine measures this fall. Then, according to the survey, more than half of the respondents – 55% supported quarantine, but counted on state support. The results of the survey in November showed a slight decrease in this indicator to 49%.
However, the number of citizens supporting tough restrictive measures has doubled compared to the previous poll, from 12% in June to 24% in November. It is noteworthy that according to the results of the survey conducted in March this year, 28% of respondents were in favor of the most stringent measures.
Obviously, the level of support for tough quarantine measures at the beginning of the pandemic was high due to the general fear of an unknown virus, and then this figure rose due to massive infections this summer and the subsequent collapse of the health system. At the same time, 29% of respondents in total voted against strict restrictions in June, now this indicator is 20%.
If we compare the indicators of expectations at the beginning of the pandemic, we can conclude that the number of people who care about their health and the relatives and friends’ safety has not changed significantly.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SIMILAR QUARANTINE MEASURES THIS FALL?
| 135 (12%) I support strict restrictive measures. This is the most reliable way to control the spread of coronavirus | ||||||||||
| 605 (55%) I am quarantined with understanding, but the state needs to help people who are left without work more | ||||||||||
| 205 (19%) I am against strict restrictions; quarantine should be advisory | ||||||||||
| 119 (11%) I am categorically against quarantine | ||||||||||
| 36 (3%) Difficult to answer
(June 2020 polling results)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF A POSSIBLE NEW QUARANTINE MEASURES THIS AUTUMN?
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In a situation of economic downturn, society needs the government support. DEMOSCOPE Bureau analyzed the expectations of Kazakhstanis in the event of a strict quarantine. Citizens’ opinions were different. The survey data show that in the event of another lockdown, 43% of respondents tend to count on real support from the state, exactly the same number count only on themselves and their relatives.
An extremely important indicator is what measure is considered the most effective in the pandemic by society. According to the DEMOSCOPE survey, a third of respondents (34%) generally support vaccination and quarantine measures. A quarter believe that quarantine would be sufficient. They are opposed by 19% of citizens who spoke out categorically against vaccination and quarantine. Only 9% believe that vaccination will be enough to fight the coronavirus.
The low level of public confidence in the issue of vaccination was probably influenced by the activity of the anti-Axis movement and the massive spread of disinformation and conspiracy theories about COVID-19.
The telephone survey was carried out by KT Cloud Lab LLP contact center.
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The project is implemented by MediaNet International Centre for Journalism with the support of Konrad Adenauer Foundation Office in Kazakhstan. The survey data reflect the point of view of the respondents. For additional information, please, contact the project coordinator Snezhana Tsoy: snezhana.tsoy@medianet.kz.