Facts: The study
The study was conducted by Björn Rönnerstrand together with Johannes Lindvall, professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg.
It is based on two surveys from the Som Institute:
The two surveys were identical in terms of sample characteristics – persons residing in Sweden aged 16 to 85 years.
Facts: University of Gothenburg
The study is based on two surveys conducted in 2020. The respondents, who were aged 16–85, had to answer questions about, among other things, how satisfied they were with how Swedish democracy works and how likely it was that they would vaccinate against covid-19 if they were offered such a vaccine.
40 percent of those questioned were hesitant to get vaccinated. But it is important to keep in mind that the survey was done before there was a ready-made vaccine, emphasizes Björn Rönnerstrand, researcher in political science at the Som Institute and one of the authors of the study.
“Then there was perhaps a greater degree of skepticism,” he says.
Skepticism is also seen in many different groups of people.
— For example, we can see that young people who had less risk of becoming seriously ill were more hesitant, but also people who were born abroad, says Björn Rönnerstrand.
SD sympathizers most skeptical
The study also shows that there are groups that rather distinguish themselves through their political views. The group where the doubt is greatest consists mainly of male sympathizers of the Sweden Democrats aged 36–70.
“In the groups that are not as exposed to the risk of disease, political opinions play a greater role,” says Björn Rönnerstrand.
There is, however, a common factor that recurs in several different groups with high skepticism about the vaccine: widespread dissatisfaction with how democracy works in Sweden.
— This indicates that there are more fundamental reasons behind the resistance. That there is skepticism towards society or that you distrust institutions such as the healthcare system or the Public Health Agency.
Distrust other people
Many vaccine skeptics also have a low degree of trust in other people, the study shows.
“If you distrust other people, you may be less inclined to support collective projects such as limiting the spread of infection,” says Björn Rönnerstrand.
A lesson from the study, in addition to trying to reduce mistrust of democracy in society, may be that there is no simple solution that suits everyone. Because hesitancy towards vaccination is seen in so many different groups of people, different targeted efforts are probably required to deal with it, according to Björn Rönnerstrand.
— A good coverage of vaccinations is very important for public health. We saw it now during the pandemic, but we know that it also applies to, for example, childhood vaccinations. So it is important to understand what characterizes the groups that choose to abstain, he says.