March 31, 2021. VCIOM presents the results of a nationwide survey about the public attitudes towards vaccine passports.
A vast majority of Russians (89%) have heard of immunity, or vaccine, passports intended for those who got vaccinated and proposed by certain countries. One-third of them are well informed (35%), often persons aged 45 and older. Eleven percent of Russians did not hear anything about vaccine passports; they are mainly young Russians aged 18-24 (34%).
According to 89% of those Russians who are aware, the reason to introduce vaccine passports is the coronavirus (12%), border opening (11%) and protection of citizens (10%). Less popular answers are as follows: count of the number of people who received vaccination (8%), knowing that a person is not contagious, and control over people (7%, respectively). One-third of those who are informed are undecided (31%).
Perceptions of immunity/vaccine passports
More than one-third of Russians who are informed about vaccine passports positively perceive introduction of such passports (35%). Those who are more likely to have favorable views are young respondents aged 18-24 and those aged 60 and older. Twenty-nine percent of Russians oppose them; they are mainly men (32% vs 27% women). Another one-third of respondents who are aware say they are indifferent; those are basically Russians aged 25-44 (36% in each group, respectively).
The main reasons behind positive perceptions among those who favor passports are freedom of travel and safety (16%, respectively), confidence that a person has immunity (15%), and prevention of further virus transmission (11%).
The main reasons behind negative perceptions among those who have unfavorable views are uselessness (18%), impairment of rights and freedoms for those who do not have passports (15%), inequality/discrimination (14%), and vaccine distrust and lack of trust in vaccine (10%).
Immunity passports for travelers
More than half of Russians are likely to favor the idea to introduce immunity passports for travelers (56%). Every fourth respondent is indifferent (24%). Sixteen percent of respondents express negative views.
Every second Russian (54%) believes that immunity/vaccine passport will give more opportunities for travelers. More than one-third of respondents disagree with them as they see more restrictions (37%).
Sixty-eight percent of respondents consider that if the European Union and other countries introduce obligatory immunity passports for travelers, Russia should do the same for those tourists who come to Russia and Russians. Every fifth respondent opposes this opinion (22%).
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on March 24, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Certain countries are going to introduce immunity or vaccine passports for those who received COVID-19 vaccination, who have already had COVID-19 and have antibodies. Do you know, have you heard or do you hear for the first time about it? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
I am well aware | 35 | 26 | 30 | 35 | 39 | 38 |
I heard something but I do not know any details | 54 | 40 | 54 | 54 | 53 | 57 |
I hear about it for the first time | 11 | 34 | 16 | 11 | 8 | 5 |
Based on what you know, heard can you say why certain countries are going to introduce immunity or vaccine passports? (% of those who heard about immunity passports, open-ended question, up to 3 answers; answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| % of those who heard about immunity passports |
Combating the COVID-19 / preventing the spread of coronavirus / monitoring the disease incidence | 12 |
Free travel / opportunity to travel / border opening / going abroad / tourism | 11 |
Safety / for safety reasons / protection of citizens | 10 |
Count / statistics / to see how many persons got vaccinated / to keep records | 8 |
To know that a person is not contagious /got vaccination | 7 |
Control over people /to control travelling | 7 |
To prevent the spread of contamination / to prevent people from spreading the virus / they are afraid of catching the virus | 6 |
Entry restrictions / restriction to visit public places / limiting the freedom of those who have not had COVID /for those who did not get vaccinated | 4 |
Lifting of restrictions / lockdown lifting / not being tested for COVID-19 | 2 |
To motivate to have COVID-19 vaccination/ to make people get vaccinated | 2 |
Care for health / the number of those who are ill will decrease | 2 |
Other | 4 |
Don’t know / No idea | 31 |
What is your attitude to the idea to introduce such passports for those who have had COVID-19 vaccination and those who have had coronavirus disease and have antibodies? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who heard about immunity passports) | ||||||||
| % of those who have heard about immunity passports | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60+ |
Rather positive | 35 | 32 | 37 | 41 | 26 | 26 | 35 | 45 |
Rather negative | 29 | 32 | 27 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 21 |
Indifferent | 30 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 36 | 36 | 28 | 27 |
Don’t know | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
Why are you more likely to have positive attitudes to the idea to introduce immunity or vaccine passports? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who perceive positively introduction of immunity passports) | |
| % of those who perceive positively introduction of immunity passports |
Opportunity to freely travel to another region, country / free travel | 16 |
Safety / you are confident that you will not catch the virus and spread the virus to someone else | 16 |
We will be able to know if a person received vaccination or has had COVID-19 / has immunity | 15 |
Prevention of the virus spread | 11 |
It is important to keep count / statistics / control | 10 |
I favor passports / it is necessary, right / we have always had vaccination marks | 9 |
Passports will make life easier / it is a proof that you got vaccination / you do not need to pass the test | 8 |
Restrictions will be lifted for those who have immunity / they will be allowed to stop wearing masks | 4 |
It gives a sense of confidence in myself and people around | 3 |
There will be problems at work / it will be easier to get a job | 3 |
It will make the work of health institutions easier | 2 |
It will motivate people to get vaccinated | 1 |
Anyone must get vaccinated | 1 |
Other | 3 |
Don’t know | 12 |
Why are you more likely to have negative attitudes to the idea to introduce immunity or vaccine passports? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers % of those who perceive negatively introduction of immunity passports) | |
| % of those who perceive negatively introduction of immunity passports |
It is stupid / useless / it makes no sense | 18 |
There will be limitations for those who do not have a passport / impairment of rights and freedoms | 15 |
Separation of the society / inequality / discrimination | 14 |
I do not trust vaccine / I do not want to get vaccinated / I do not believe in the coronavirus | 10 |
We will be forced to get vaccination anyway / vaccination is voluntary | 9 |
Waste of time and money | 7 |
They will create environment for corruption / bureaucratization (passports will be bought) | 7 |
Antibodies disappear after a while | 4 |
It is enough to have a vaccination certificate / information in your medical card | 4 |
It is an ordinary vaccination / but we do not have passports for other vaccines | 4 |
Control / spying on the population | 4 |
I am against it / It is personal responsibility for everyone / it is wrong | 4 |
The virus is not studied / mutating / vaccines does not guarantee anything | 3 |
Some people may have contraindications to vaccines | 2 |
Personal health is private data / I do not want to disclose it | 2 |
I have nothing against it | 1 |
Other | 4 |
Don’t know | 10 |
Certain countries have opened the borders. Some countries ask people to show a negative test result for COVID-19 test upon arrival, while others oblige people to quarantine for several days. The introduction of immunity passports for travelers can excuse them from abiding by self-isolation rules / quarantine when they arrive from countries with a high rate of cases.
How do you perceive the idea to introduce mandatory immunity passports for travelers containing the marks about the COVID-19 vaccination and antibodies? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Rather positively | 56 |
Rather negatively | 16 |
Indifferent | 24 |
Don’t know | 4 |
In your opinion, will the introduction of mandatory immunity or vaccine passports for travelers give people more opportunities or limitations? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Rather more opportunities | 54 |
Rather more limitations | 37 |
Don’t know | 9 |
In your opinion, if the EU and certain countries introduce mandatory immunity passports for travelers, should Russia introduce similar passports for those who arrive in Russia including Russians who return from abroad? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Rather yes | 68 |
Rather no | 22 |
Don’t know | 10 |