Survey Shows Widespread Skepticism in Covid-19 Vaccine in Indonesia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Nearly a quarter of survey respondents in Indonesia are not convinced that the vaccine is their long awaited antidote to the pandemic.

In a survey conducted by Saiful Mujani Research & Consulting (SMRC) firm, “23 percent of the survey’s respondents said that they do not believe in the vaccine, compared to 56 percent who expressed confidence in the vaccine, while [21 percent] had no opinion.” 

SMRC Public Policy Manager Tati Wardi in an online press conference on Tuesday, December 22 said, “While the non-believers are a minority, they still represent a substantial segment of the Indonesian population.”

Also read: President Jokowi Okays Free Covid-19 Vaccination For All Indonesians

The respondents expressed similar sentiments when they were asked if the Covid-19 vaccine would be effective in bolstering the recipient’s immune system.

“55 percent of respondents agreed that the Covid-19 vaccine can strengthen their immune system. 21 percent disagreed, while 24 percent expressed no opinion,” said Tati.

Nonetheless, SMRC observed that 57 percent of respondents are still unsure about the vaccine.

“40 percent said they will consider [getting their vaccine shot], while 17 percent stated that they will not take the vaccine. Only 37 percent said they are willing to take the vaccine,” Tati said.

She suggested that the government step up their efforts to orient the public on the vaccine. Tati believed that an SMRC survey in September-October might provide the government with a solution.

Also read: Indonesia Receives 1.2 Million Doses of Covid-19 Vaccine From China's Sinovac

“The previous survey showed that 71.5 percent of respondents believed that doctors can orient them on Covid-19 preventative measures, while 8.6 percent of respondents expressed confidence in President [Joko Widodo], and 4.5 percent believed in religious clerics,” Tati said.

Titled “The Indonesian Public’s Confidence in Vaccines and Covid-19 Vaccination”, the SMRC held the survey by phone over a three-day period between December 16-19, 2020. The survey has a 95 percent accuracy rate with a 2.9 percent margin of error.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has authorized free vaccinations for the Indonesian public earlier this month when Indonesia received its first batch of 1.2 million vaccines from China's Sinovac pharmaceutical company.

(Writer: Tsarina Maharani | Editor : Dani Prabowo)

Source: 

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/22/15081341/survei-smrc-56-persen-warga-percaya-vaksin-covid-19-aman-23-persen-tak.