Why is there vaccine skepticism in Europe? Europe’s largest countries – France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, and Bulgaria – have all temporarily stopped using the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, no longer in use are some recalled batches from Italy, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Luxembourg. The rollout pause was supposed to be a precautionary measure after several reported incidents involving blood clots. That is contrary to scientific and medical advice.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no evidence that the vaccine causes blood clots. Also, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) emphasizes that the advantages of protecting people from coronavirus outweigh the side effects. So, why does there seem to be vaccine skepticism around the coronavirus vaccine in Europe?
Vaccine Skepticism: Unconventional Views
The United Kingdom (UK) has rapidly been offering citizens the vaccine. The UK government intends to vaccinate the whole country by the end of the summer. Starting next week, those over 55 would have access to a vaccine. Despite the seeming uptake among the vulnerable, the over 65s, it is still unclear what the general uptake for the young and healthy would be.
Earlier polling in the UK revealed that three in four people were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The survey suggested that only 57% of the respondents (precisely 199) were willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine compared to 79% of White respondents. That survey’s publication caused an uproar. Religious leaders and celebrities – from ethnic minority backgrounds urged their communities to take the vaccine when offered. Also, it recently revealed that more than half of the UK people are hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
When asked if they supported the issuance of COVID-19 vaccine passports, the response has been confusing and contradictory. Research by Kantar, a market research firm, suggests that the British public would not mind a COVID-19 passport if it meant they could travel abroad on holidays. On the other hand, thousands have signed a petition against the COVID-19 vaccine passport. If one were to use the COVID-19 vaccine passports as a proxy for general uptake, this would mean that there is still a lot of vaccine skepticism in the UK. It is still unclear what the uptake in the UK will be.
Back on the continent, vaccine skepticism against the COVID-19 vaccine uptake has been much clearer. The European Union (EU) has run into numerous difficulties with its COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Europe has a history of anti-vaccination. A survey by the Wellcome Global Monitor in 2018 revealed that only 59% of western Europeans thought vaccines were safe than 79% in the rest of the world. According to the survey, 33% of people in France believe that vaccines are unsafe. In Central and Eastern Europe, the same is the case. Back in October 2020, only a third of Czechs said they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. In Hungary, about 50% said that they were not willing to take the vaccine.
Vaccine Skepticism: Risk or Crisis Management?
The suspension of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 is no surprise, even with 11 million doses already administered in the United Kingdom. There seems to be no demonstrable difference in blood clotting counts.
Halting the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine may be a problem specific to the EU. Last month in some regions in Sweden, the health authorities temporarily paused administering the AstraZeneca vaccine as about a quarter of held workers called in sick. There have been reported instances in France and Austria when health workers have rejected receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. The level of efficacy of the AstraZeneca brand has always been in doubt. As events unfold, could this be the moment that Europe’s vaccine skepticism proves to be right? This is unlikely.
The rate of blood clots seems is low, and the rationale given by European governments seems to be flimsy. According to EMA, out of the 5 million AstraZeneca vaccines administered in Europe, there have only been 30 reported blood clots cases out of an expected 5,000 points (even without vaccinations). The picture was confusing – some reports say that health authorities are also cautious about patients getting a thrombosis around the brain. Still, such data is hard to come by.
Governments around the world have failed in complex coordination around measures to tackle the COVID-19. This incidence of vaccine skepticism in Europe might be another one of it. Authorities need to show that these vaccines are safe.
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Interesting POV. The skepticism also dominates the minds of people in Nigeria. A Covid-19 passport is an option that isn’t sustainable IMO
When it comes to covid vaccine, the issue of scepticism is seen and felt all over the world. My friend and her family in the UK have sworn not to go near it. I have some other friends in the US who feel the same way about it. We were just having the same discussion with the Ibhades a night ago, and my opinion on the issue is that of a classic sceptic. I will only take the vaccine if it’s gonna affect my travel plans, just like it was indicated in the write up(Vaccine Passport). That being said, if the vaccine will put the world back to where it used to be, why not? But we need to be assured of its efficacy and authenticity. If there are side effects, which there are, are they major or minor, what about in the near future? Are we safe with this vaccine? Why are countries and more countries stopping the administration of the vaccine? What is WHO doing about this? There are so many questions still unanswered. Until then, I am good with practicing Social distancing and wearing my mask.
Chichi, there are so many unanswered questions. We will continue to work to get the answers right here at Public Health EDIT. Stay tuned!
Interesting article!
It is normal to have doubts, skepticisms etc. Especially if you have not seen someone very sick/die of the disease. Or if you are not at risk of dying. Otherwise you will think twice.
Vaccination just like any medical treatment is optional… as long as you are not a threat to your neighbour/environment.
You are absolutely 💯 right Don. Its eye opening if you are unfortunate to see someone suffer from a preventable illness. It changes your perspective if you had doubts