Update on: high but slightly declining COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and reasons for vaccine acceptance, Finland April to December 2020.

ABSTRACT

We update our previous insights into COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Finland. Vaccine acceptance increased from 64% (November/December 2020) to 74% (April 2021). However, there was a group of participants that were preferring to wait to get vaccinated ranging from 6% of over-64-years-olds to 29% of under-30-years-olds. The previously identified enablers convenience (below-50-years-olds), worry about severe disease and protection for oneself (above-50-years-olds) were no longer significantly associated with increased vaccine acceptance. Understanding barriers and enablers behind vaccine acceptance is decisive in ensuring a successful implementation of COVID-19 vaccination programs, which will be key to ending the pandemic.