Immunization against coronavirus – an absolute priority for Montenegro
Almost three-quarters of Montenegrin citizens believe that immunization against coronavirus should be a priority for both the government and all of its citizens. The percentage of citizens who did not want to be vaccinated decreased from 44 percent
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PODGORICA, 8 September, 2021 - Almost three-quarters of Montenegrin citizens believe that immunization against coronavirus should be a priority for both the government and all of its citizens. This information was obtained in the most recent survey conducted by Ipsos in Montenegro at the end of July. The result is based on a nationally representative sample. The research was carried out with the support of the EU Delegation to Montenegro and UNICEF. Ipsos surveys conducted during the past year also showed that the percentage of citizens who did not want to be vaccinated decreased from 44 percent in January to 35 percent in July this year.
The coronavirus pandemic is still both a global and a local threat. Most citizens recognize the importance of immunization against COVID-19, as it is an opportunity to protect ourselves from potential complications caused by this disease.
According to the latest Ipsos survey, almost half of Montenegrin citizens who have not yet been vaccinated against coronavirus say they plan to do so, while one third say they do not want to get vaccinated. The remainder are still undecided. Of those who are undecided, most are generally reported to be insufficiently informed on the topic. Additionally, most of those who said that they did not want to get vaccinated did not trust health institutions, were not worried about getting coronavirus and were suspicious of all vaccines, believing that they should be generally avoided.
All of the available data indicates that we need to continue strengthening trust in health institutions, experts and science. We need to do this through continuous dialogue and improved cooperation between health and scientific institutions, and between the media and citizens. The focus should be on the issues that still generate confusion or concern.
Concerns that the vaccine against COVID-19 went through clinical trials too quickly and the fear of potential side effects are the two main reasons that are cited by Montenegrin citizens when explaining why they do not want to be immunized. Therefore, these issues should be the key topics for public dialogues with experts.
One in two citizens seeks information about vaccines via the television, one in three talks to a doctor, one in four obtains information by chatting with friends and acquaintances and one in five searches for information online. This data shows the significance of television and highlights the need for television broadcasters to demonstrate a high level of social responsibility. Television has great potential in terms of adequately informing Montenegrin citizens about COVID-19 and vaccines.
The majority of Montenegrin citizens, 90 percent, agree with the statement that vaccines are one of the best inventions of medicine and that it is due to such vaccines that many infectious diseases have been eradicated. Only 1 in 10 disagree with this. This minority includes those who say that they are not worried about coronavirus, those who do not trust health institutions and those who do not intend to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The nationally representative sample for this research included 830 citizens aged 18 years and over. The data was collected from July 19th to July 24th this year by means of a telephone survey comprising a questionnaire with an average duration of 10 minutes. The key findings of this research, as well as the findings from the previous surveys on this same subject, including attitudes and practices regarding coronavirus, are available at the UNICEF Montenegro website.
The Ipsos research on COVID-19 is part of an initiative aimed at fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst also aiming to strengthen routine immunization services. The research is implemented by UNICEF and local partners and is funded by the EU.
