Several Reasons Why West Javanese People Don't Trust the Covid-19 Vaccine

The Indonesian government continues to strive for the implementation of the Covid-19 vaccination program for all citizens. A survey by the Katadata Insight Center (KIC), in collaboration with Kawal Covid19 and Change.org, reveals that 38.8% of the West Java population is unwilling to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Of this number, 42.1% of respondents refused vaccination due to a lack of trust in the Covid-19 vaccine. Specifically, a majority (53.6%) of these respondents distrust the vaccine, believing it ineffective because individuals can still contract Covid-19 even after vaccination.

48.2% of respondents believe that natural immunity can be achieved through herd immunity. Furthermore, 44.6% of respondents cited concerns about the vaccine's safety.

Other reasons included distrust in the government and the belief that the Covid-19 vaccine is a pharmaceutical industry ploy (both at 33.9%). Additionally, 23.2% of respondents stated a general distrust of vaccines.

Another 16.1% of respondents feared the implantation of tracking chips during vaccination, while 10.7% believed the Covid-19 vaccine is not halal.

Further reasons for vaccine hesitancy included influence from trusted figures (3.6%) and having already contracted and recovered from the coronavirus, thus believing they possess natural immunity (3.6%). The remaining 10.7% of respondents cited other reasons for their distrust of the coronavirus vaccine.

This online survey was conducted from August 6th to 22nd, 2021, involving 1,755 respondents residing in West Java.