Vaccine support surges ‘massively,' but Brexit voters less likely to take it - study shows

24 February 2021, 11:07

Remainers are around 7 percent more likely be willing to take the vaccine, polling has found.
Remainers are around 7 percent more likely be willing to take the vaccine, polling has found. Picture: PA

By Joe Cook

A new study from Oxford University suggests over three quarters of people in the UK are now “very likely” to take the Covid vaccine, but Leave voters are seven percentage points less likely to take it than Remainers.

The survey of over 1200 Brits, found the proportion saying they would be “very likely” to take the vaccine has increased from 50 percent to over three quarters, between October and February.

Although around seven percent of the population say they are still “very unlikely” to take the jab, most people who said in October that they “didn’t know” or were “unlikely” to have the vaccine, say they are now “very likely” to do so.

Political factors were a “very strong predictor willingness to take the vaccine”, the study found.

Those who didn’t vote, or voted Brexit or Green party in the December 2019 election were least willing to take the vaccine, while SNP and Liberal Democrats were most positive about the jab.

Supporters of Nigel Farage’s new Reform UK party - formerly the Brexit Party - are the most hesitant, with just over 50% saying they will take the vaccine, compared to 100% of SNP voters.

Read more: 'No problems' with Covid-19 vaccine supply chain, Williamson tells LBC

Read more: Prince Philip expected to remain in hospital for 'several days' to treat infection

No need for concern over lower daily vaccination numbers, Williamson tells LBC

Voting leave or not voting in the Brexit referendum was also a good predictor, with Remainers seven points more likely to be willing to take the vaccine.

Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions Ben Ansell, who led the study, said overall it showed “people have become massively more supportive of taking the vaccine”.

However, he added: “important gaps remain especially among groups whose trust in politicians is typically lower: non-voters, younger citizens, and poorer households”.

“When so much of the UK Government’s lockdown exit strategy rests on successful vaccine roll out, these insights will be of immediate importance to policymakers in both their internal deliberation on policy and their outward facing communication with the public.”

Read more: Universities say all students could return to in-person teaching after Easter

Read more: Gavin Williamson questioned over vaccine passports

Foreign Office minister urges BAME communities to get the vaccine

There have been particular concerns about vaccine hesitancy among ethic minorities, with the study suggesting efforts to tackle vaccine hesitancy are working.

Ethnic minority respondents were 10 percentage points less likely to wish to take the vaccine, down from over 20 percent in October. However, the authors suggest these findings should be taken cautiously.

Read more: Anti-vaxxers are targeting BAME groups, warns leading nurse

Watch: Maajid Nawaz analyses 'trauma' at heart of BAME vaccine skepticism

Maajid Nawaz's powerful explanation of vaccine skepticism BAME groups

Respondents to the study were broadly supportive of the government’s performance in rolling out the vaccine and in who received priority for the vaccine, but showed greater concerns about the policy of delaying the second dose of the vaccine.

On Friday, an Israeli study that followed more than 7,000 healthcare workers found the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is up to 85% effective after the first dose.

In a boost to the UK’s vaccine policy, the study, published in The Lancet medical journal added this supports "delaying the second dose in countries facing vaccine shortages and scarce resources, so as to allow higher population coverage with a single dose”.

However it said more research is needed on the long-term effectiveness of a single dose "to inform a second dose delay policy".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Technology firms must tackle illegal content on their platforms under new rules, but there are concerns that the changes are too weak.

New Ofcom powers for online safety come into force as charities warn of 'major gaps' in legislation

The rebels on Sunday claimed to have targeted the USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group with missiles and a drone.

US fights off Houthi drone attacks on aircraft carrier after Trump ramps up strikes on Yemen

Jack Draper of Great Britain celebrates after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark to win the Men's Singles Final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025

Britain’s Jack Draper wins Indian Wells Open after beating Holger Rune in biggest title of his career

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

20 arrested including government officials after 59 killed in North Macedonia night club fire

Alton Towers' latest attraction, Toxicator, was forced to close on its opening day after a burst pipe caused a leak of brown liquid.

‘Nightmare day’ - New Alton Towers attraction ‘Toxicator’ forced to close on opening day after burst pipe

People sit on deckchairs on brown-coloured dry grass, in the sunshine in Hyde Park in central London

Parts of UK to be hotter than Ibiza and Corfu next week as first day of spring looms

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring the second goal during the Carabao Cup Final match between Liverpool vs Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium, London.

Newcastle crowned Carabao Cup winners, taking home first major trophy in 70 years

Kanye West, left, and Kim Kardashian attend the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards on Nov. 6, 2019, in New York.

‘You’re going to have to kill me’ - Kanye leaks chilling texts with Kim after involving daughter in Diddy scandal

Pilot Mike Beaton was sacked for snorting cocaine off a passengers breasts in 2023.

British Airways pilot back in the skies after snorting drugs off woman's breasts before flight

Iran has denied backing Yemen's Houthis after the US launched airstrikes in the country's capital and Donald Trump promised to 'hold Iran accountable' for allegedly supporting the rebels.

Iran denies aiding Houthi rebels after US strikes Yemen and Trump threatens to hold Tehran 'fully accountable'

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn