Background and trust in government affect citizens’ willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines

As coronavirus vaccines start to arrive in Hong Kong, the key to winning the battle against the pandemic is the number of people getting vaccinated. To achieve herd immunity, at least 70% of the population should get the vaccination, according to experts. However, a survey conducted by CityU's Department of Media and Communication has revealed that only 38% of citizens are willing to get inoculated. Young people (aged between 20 and 24) are the least enthusiastic, with less than 30% indicating a willingness to get the jab.

A research team led by Professor Christine HUANG Yihui, Chair Professor of Communication and Media at CityU, conducted a poll to find out citizens’ willingness to get vaccinated and any correlation between their tendencies and backgrounds. Online questionnaires with 3,190 respondents aged over 20 were conducted in September 2020. The survey was conducted based on the distribution of gender, age and residential districts found in Hong Kong’s 2016 population by-census. The method of stratified sampling was adopted for the survey and population weights were used to adjust the sample to census parameters in the data analysis.

Click here to learn more about the survey and recommendations shared by Professor Christine Huang Yihui.