A study by Ipsos, a global market research and public opinion specialist, showed that three out of four Jordanians are open to the idea of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

In the study, which Roya received a copy of, Ipsos added, "But many of them are procrastinating in the actual turnout for receiving it!"

The results of this study differ from the previous study conducted by Ipsos in March, which showed that 44 percent of Jordanians are receptive to the idea of taking the vaccine against COVID-19, in comparison to 75 percent in May, meaning that the number of individuals willing to receive a jab increased by over 30 percent within three months.

The new study stipulated that four out of 10 Jordanians still prefer to wait before taking the vaccine, and it also showed that the older and higher-income segments of society displayed more openness and willingness compared to the younger generation.

The full text of the study follows:

As the vaccine turns into a global reality and the Jordanian government announces a plan to vaccinate Jordanians, Ipsos, the leading research company in the Middle East and North Africa, is conducting a study that tracks Jordanians' views of the coronavirus vaccines, a study consisting of a representative quantitative survey of Jordanians, in addition to analyzing the interactions on social media to highlight the changing views of Jordanians regarding the vaccine.

Impressions about vaccines

The results of the research revealed that the rate of vaccine acceptance has increased significantly by all groups, compared to the past three months. In April 2021, 75 percent of respondents expressed their willingness to receive the vaccine, 33 percent of whom stated that they would receive the vaccine immediately, while 42 percent of them would prefer to wait.

The results showed that the elderly and those with higher incomes showed more willingness and acceptance to receive a jab, compared  to the younger generations.

In terms of the recent shift in attitudes, the willingness of Jordanians to take the vaccine has increased compared to other countries such as Germany and France, where only 74 percent and 59 percent, respectively, expressed their desire to receive the vaccine, during the same period.

While 74 percent of Jordanians believe that the vaccine is important in order to return to normal life, and 70 percent believe that the vaccine is effective in protecting them and their families, concerns about its side effects were the main reason for not getting the vaccine immediately.

In fact, many respondents stated that the majority should rush to receive the vaccine, yet they found personal justifications not to apply this to them.

The National Vaccination Campaign

In regards to the national vaccination campaign; despite the majority showing hesitation to take the vaccine, it is surprising that one in every two individuals believe that the state does not administer enough vaccines per day.

Nevertheless, Jordanians consider that the state has ensured an easy vaccination process for its citizens, as nearly eight out of 10 people consider the process easy and simple.

Respondents were also satisfied with the information provided by the government about the vaccine, especially the older age groups and those considered more willing to receive the vaccine.

Sources of information about the vaccine

The main sources through which Jordanians obtain information about the COVID-19 vaccine are local television channels and official media pages on social media sites. Although Jordanians see the Ministry of Health as the most reliable source of information, only five percent obtained their information from the ministry's official media.

Social media has witnessed a significant increase in the volume of publications related to the vaccine during the past few months, as Jordanians have used social media platforms frequently to express their opinions and ask their questions about this topic.

Moreover, those who support vaccination have become more expressive on online platforms. However, the vaccination plan in Jordan remains a major topic, with increasing discussion of side effects and more reliance on sharing news or articles as sources of information.

On the other hand, the people who are most hesitant about receiving the vaccine are those who surround themselves with others who share the same concerns, which stresses the role of direct conversations between local communities regarding encouraging or frustrating Jordanians' determination to make a final vaccination decision.

Also, people who have demonstrated an unwillingness to receive the vaccine are more likely to have received negative messages about the vaccine from their immediate social environment. This was especially common among females, the younger and middle-aged groups.

The CEO of Ipsos in Jordan, Saif Al-Nimri, commented on the results of this study, saying; “Despite the significant improvement that Jordan witnessed in levels of awareness and demand for the vaccine during the first quarter of 2021, Jordanians, like other societies around the world, suffer from the phenomenon of spectator apathy! Those around them did not initiate it."

Nimri added, "While addressing this same phenomenon with the passage of time and the increase in the number of recipients of the vaccine, the government can accelerate the pace of this reform by intensifying the messages of the official Ministry of Health in this regard as the source most trusted among Jordanians, and granting more incentives to those Jordanians who are committed to receiving the vaccine."