COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a representative working-age population in France: a survey experiment based on vaccine characteristics

Expertise
Around one in three working-age adults (29%) surveyed in France in July 2020 would refuse any COVID-19 vaccine fond a team of researcher including Stéphane Luchini (CNRS, AMSE). This study was published in The Lancet Public Health the 5th February 2021.
February 05th 2021

"Researchers found that more than two-thirds of people (71%) could accept a vaccine depending on its characteristics, with their decision based largely on its effectiveness and country of origin.

Based on their findings, the authors recommend that mass vaccination strategies in France would be most successful if they use vaccines with robust evidence of high levels of effectiveness, especially vaccines produced in the USA or the European Union, and emphasise the collective benefits of herd immunity.

While the study was conducted in France - where vaccine skepticism, in general, is high -highlights potential hurdles that widespread distrust of new vaccines could pose to a vaccine rollout strategy to achieve herd immunity. The authors also note that the study was undertaken before the development of highly effective vaccines, which may have altered people's attitudes."

► More information 

 

Reference :

Read the paper (open access) : Michaël Schwarzinger M., Watson V., Arwidson P., Alla F., Luchini S., 2021, "COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a representative working-age population in France: a survey experiment based on vaccine characteristics", The Lancet Public Health, online

 

Contact : 

 Stéphane Luchini (CNRS, AMSE)

 

Previously issued

  • Press

In Spain, economic policy has been conducive and has benefited from favourable circumstances

Only in French - An op-ed by Cecilia García Peñalosa (CNRS, EHESS, AMSE) and Alain Trannoy (EHESS, AMSE) published in the newspaper Le Monde.
December 22nd 2025
  • Dialogues économiques

The True Price of CO₂

In 2024, a grim record was set: it was the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. The signs of climate upheaval are now visible to all, as global warming manifests itself in a rapid rise in extreme weather events. In theory, the solution is straightforward: we must stop burning fossil fuels. In practice, phasing out energy sources so firmly entrenched in contemporary societies is an immense challenge. To reduce CO₂ emissions, economists — trained in cost–benefit analysis — can help policymakers design strategies that are both effective and socially acceptable.
December 10th 2025
  • Press

Healers are easy targets

Only in French- An op-ed by Daniel Ventosa-Santaulària (CIDE), visiting professor at Aix-Marseille School of Economics, published in La Provence.
December 04th 2025