Lack of Immunity to COVID-19 is the Main Reason Citizens Distrust Vaccines

Research by the Katadata Insight Center (KIC) and Change.org reveals that a segment of the Indonesian population remains hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine. A majority (48.4%) of respondents distrust the vaccine because individuals can still contract COVID-19 after vaccination, leading them to believe vaccination is pointless.

Forty-one percent of vaccine-hesitant respondents prefer to build natural immunity. Furthermore, 34.2% cited distrust in the government as their reason.

Another 32.3% expressed general distrust in the COVID-19 vaccine, while 24.8% believe it's a pharmaceutical industry ploy.

Concerns about the vaccine's halal status accounted for 21.7% of responses, and 15.5% of respondents cited influence from role models as their reason for hesitancy.

Twelve point four percent of respondents considered the vaccine dangerous, even potentially fatal, while 7.1% feared the implantation of tracking chips during vaccination.

Five point six percent of respondents felt they already possessed natural immunity after a COVID-19 infection, and 7.1% cited other reasons for their vaccine hesitancy.

While the vaccine does not prevent COVID-19 infection, it significantly reduces the risk of death from the virus.

Therefore, the public is urged to participate in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program. Furthermore, adherence to the 3M health protocols—wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands with soap—is crucial in preventing transmission.

The KIC and Change.org conducted an online survey of 8,299 respondents across Indonesia from August 6th to 22nd, 2021. Of these, 322 respondents admitted to distrusting the COVID-19 vaccine.