Jamaicans not aligned with either of the two major political parties are least likely to take the Covid-19 vaccines. But more JLP than PNP supporters say they are willing so to do.
That’s according to the Nationwide Bluedot polls conducted last month between August 14 and 30 among 1500 Jamaicans across all 63 constituencies in the country.
The poll had a margin of error of 2.5-percent.
The poll also found that a majority of Jamaicans identified curfews as a major problem affecting their income and freedom of movement.
The strength of vaccine hesitancy in Jamaica cuts across the political divide. A majority of Jamaicans, whether party supporters or not, are not willing to take the Covid19 vaccines.
According to the Bluedot pollsters, an overwhelming 78-percent of Jamaicans not allied to any of the two major political parties are least likely to take the Covid19 vaccines.
Only 1 in 5 of those polled, 22-percent, were willing to do so. A big majority of PNP supporters, 73-percent, also expressed a low desire for taking the vaccines. Only one in four PNP supporters said they were willing to take it.
A smaller majority of JLP supporters, 59-percent, said they were not likely to take the vaccine. Only 41-percent of those who support the governing JLP said they would take the vaccine.
According to Bluedot, trust in the government may be one of the underlying factors, with those who trust the JLP government more likely to take the vaccine, while those who trust neither party being least likely to take the vaccine.
Bluedot also asked Jamaicans about the problems they’ve been having during the Covid 19 pandemic.
A majority of 56-percent identified curfews affecting their income and hours of work. 54-percent said curfews are affecting their freedom to move about, travel, and socialize.
51-percent cited financial instability and loss of jobs.
43-percent identified cutting back on expenses while 40-percent cited difficulties paying routine bills and utilities. More than a third of Jamaicans cited less food in their household as a problem during the pandemic.
