Vaccines and Political Divisions: An Analysis of the Attitudes Toward Vaccination and Political Preferences in Poland

Background: COVID-19 vaccination programmes offer hope for an end to the ongoing pandemic. However, some societies show no interest in vaccination, which poses a threat to public health. Individual decision-making processes regarding vaccination are complex and it is crucial to understand the existing correlations between political choices and vaccine hesitancy.Methods: We conducted a web-based research survey on a demographically representative sample of the adult Polish population (n=1066) to determine the general attitudes towards vaccines and vaccinations, the willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19, and the political preferences of participants. We analyzed the results statistically to determine any significant differences in the variable distribution and we performed a logistic regression to check how political views are related to certain attitudes towards vaccines and vaccinations and the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19.Results: There is a significant correlation (p< .001) between political views and the attitude towards vaccination programs – both general and against COVID-19. However, there is no significant correlation between right-leaning political views and vaccine hesitancy. Politically right-leaning individuals support vaccination programs if the political party of their choice is endorsing vaccination programs, especially while being in power. Supporters of anti-establishment political movements are the most vaccine-hesitant, along with those who are undecided politically.Conclusions: We conclude that the relationship between political views and the willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 exists. However, the nature of any correlation in this matter cannot be simplified using the traditional categories and divisions known in political life (such as ‘right’ or ‘left’, ‘conservative’ or ‘liberal’).