Seoul National University professor Yoo Myung-soon’s research team surveyed 1,000 people over the age of 18
70.4% of respondents said the epidemic situation this winter would be ‘serious’
However, 36.3% “do not need additional vaccination in winter”
Only 41.6% ‘confidence in safety of bivalent vaccine’
Although the government is encouraging the vaccination of the 2-better Omicron Response vaccine in preparation for the 7th revival, it was found that 1 in 3 citizens think that there is no need for additional vaccination in the winter.
According to the results of the ‘Winter Season 19 Corona Public Perception Survey’ conducted on the 3rd to the 7th by Professor Yoo Myung-soon of Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Health, targeting 1,000 adults aged 18 or older throughout the country, 36.3% of respondents said ‘There is no need for additional vaccination in the winter for Corona 19. That is true,’ he replied. Currently, the additional vaccination rate for the winter season is 6.0% of the target population, 17.1% for those over 60 years of age, and 17.4% for facilities susceptible to infection.
In an awareness survey, 70.4% of respondents said that the Corona 19 epidemic this winter would be “severe,” but their intention to get vaccinated was low. The response that vaccination is ‘important’ was 56.9%, down 25.3 percentage points from the survey in February last year (82.2%). 41.9% of respondents said that they had not received an additional dose of Corona 19 this year and that they had no intention of participating in the future or that they did not know yet. The reasons for reluctance to get vaccinated were ‘because the effect of preventing infection is small’ (63.0%), ‘because the vaccine is not safe’ (51.8%), ‘because there is compensation for damage and support for the risk of the vaccine is unsatisfactory’ (37.5%), etc. hearing Specifically, less than half (41.6%) responded that they were “convinced that the modified bivalent vaccine is safe,” and that “the health authorities are confident that decisions” n be done for the benefit of the community to promote additional vaccination in the winter” (51.2%). passed the There is a hint of distrust in the quarantine authorities and improved bivalent vaccines that encourage additional vaccination.
It seems that fatigue from the Corona 19 pandemic, which lasted for three years, also affected the low vaccination rate. ‘I am sick and tired of seeing too many topics related to COVID-19 in the press or media’ (52.1%), ‘If someone around me brings up COVID-19 as a topic, I change the subject or respond indifferently’ (40.9 %), ‘More, I don’t want to know more about the Corona 19 issue’ (35.3%) presented with many opinions.
The acceptance rate for diagnostic tests for COVID-19 has also decreased. ‘Symptoms are suspected, but self-examination or a specialist rapid antigen test may not be performed’ reached 42.0%. Assuming that this trend also appears in reality, the actual number of confirmed cases could be twice as large. According to the Central Defense Response Headquarters, at 0:00 on the same day, 72,873 new confirmed cases occurred. Among the patients in hospital, 461 patients were considered seriously ill.
Reporter Lee Hyeon-jeong
