Filenews 4 September 2021 - byMarilena Panagi
Vaccinated people say they cannot communicate with the unvaccinated and the opposite, while some have excluded from their social circle people who have done the opposite of them. Some even underestimate and discredit people who are on the "opposite" side of the same side.
Those who were vaccinated say they did so because they have confidence in science and understand the dangers of the pandemic. Those who were not vaccinated say they have no confidence in science and the state. Many say they are concerned and some are categorically against vaccines.
The division in Cypriot society is also scientifically confirmed. The results of the Pancyprian study conducted by IMR/University of Nicosia in collaboration with members of the OSAK team of special associates, in the past weeks give clear messages with many recipients, since citizens through their answers lead to conclusions concerning both the political leadership of the country and the scientific community.
More than 2,000 citizens participated in the survey, 39% of whom said that they face without any problem those who disagree with their own opinion, as they consider that it is the human right of everyone to do as he believes best for himself. A percentage of 22% said they cannot communicate with people who do the opposite and 6% that they do not even include them in their social circle. For 8%, the different actions are indifferent to them, while 2% treat them contemptuously and disparagingly.
The results of the first social study on vaccination, carried out in Cyprus since the beginning of the pandemic, were presented yesterday during a press conference. The study, led by Professor Konstantinos Fellas and scientific collaborators, assistant professor of pathology Konstantinos Tsioutis and associate professor of pharmacology Christos Petrou, provided answers "to critical questions concerning the reasons why a portion of the world views vaccines with great suspicion, refusing to be vaccinated, as well as the reasons why another part of the population has reservations and concerns, concerned whether he will be vaccinated or not."
"The general conclusion that emerges from the research is that the vast majority of citizens may have proceeded with their vaccination, but there are still fears, some of which could be characterized as valid, but also fears that have as their starting point the phenomenon of conspiracy theory, paraphilology and disinformation."
Presenting the results of the research, Professor Konstantinos Fellas mentioned that in general, the existence of a majority current of acceptance of vaccination is found, since 87% of the participants have either been vaccinated or plan to be vaccinated in the near future. Concerned whether or not to be vaccinated, 7% appear, while only 6% make the categorical position that they will not be vaccinated. The highest rate of acceptance of vaccination is recorded in the age group of 60 years and older, where more than nine out of ten (92%), say they have already been vaccinated. The corresponding percentage in the 41-60 age group is 89%, in the 31-40 age group in 84% and in the 18-30 age group in 79%."
Society in three parts: vaccinated, troubled, vertically opposed
The research is broken down into three parts which concern those who have been vaccinated, those who are concerned and those who say they will not be vaccinated.
Those vaccinated
As the study shows, people who have been vaccinated or are planning their vaccination, have made their decision because they believe that:
- Coronavirus is a serious threat to global health (76%).
- Trust experts, science and doctors to fight the pandemic (67%).
- They believe that non-vaccination prevents us from returning to normality (54%).
- They are convinced that vaccines have proven over time that they benefit (52%).
- They believe that by not vaccinating them they are putting their family and friends at risk (49%).
Furthermore, a significant percentage of 28% consider that there is no serious cause for concern from vaccines, since a large number of other people have been vaccinated without any particular problem or side effect.
Those who are concerned
As far as those who appear sceptical about vaccination are concerned, the answers given show that their concern is due to:
- The rapid development of vaccines, which makes them view them with scepticism (64%).
- They are concerned about the various possible negative side effects on their health, such as causing thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (45%), myocarditis (40%), allergic reactions (33%), and affecting fertility (23%).
The perception that the vaccine can even cause death (39%) is also a concern about whether they will be vaccinated.
Those who are against vaccines
Those who stated that they have no intention of being vaccinated, cited as reasons for this decision:
- The lack of trust in the government, especially in how it is managing the pandemic through vaccination (77%).
- The fact that they are not convinced that vaccination will bring about the desired results (71%).
- The disagreements that are manifested among scientists on the issue of vaccines (63%).
- The fact that they do not trust those who declare themselves experts on the issues of the pandemic (61%).
- Because they believe that "the virus is manufactured and the vaccine has been created to serve interests" (49%).
- "Vaccination is an attempt to completely control and oppress our freedoms by the state" (42%).
- Concerns about permanent harm through new technology used by vaccines (42%).
- The fact that the new technology of the vaccine will change their genetic code (9%).
"Refusal to vaccinate also arises as a result of the perception that the vaccine can lead to death (41%), as well as because of confidence in alternative treatment methods (36%)".
