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The efficacy of combating Coronavirus declared as an invisible enemy is gradually becoming tangible. While the global vaccination campaign continues, according to Bloomberg, the vaccination process has begun in 111 countries with a total of more than 279 million doses of vaccine entered. Some countries were capable to accomplish the full course of vaccination (2 vaccinations at several-week intervals), with a total of 28 million people worldwide already completely vaccinated.
According to the world map posted on the Bloomberg website, which shows the progress of vaccination by country, Georgia is still left without any data, no vaccine produced by any country has been imported into the country at this time so far.
Before the introduction of the vaccine in the country, ACT interviewed the citizens of Tbilisi and inquired about their attitude towards vaccination and readiness for specific vaccines.
80% of Tbilisi citizens believe that the vaccination process will have a positive effect on improving the epidemiological situation. There is a high level of awareness about vaccination among the population, every second citizen has some information about the vaccine. This can be explained by the urgency of the topic and existing high expectations.
The most active source of information is the Internet, accordingly, 70% of the population of Tbilisi names it as the main channel of information. There exists a high level of information provided through television, especially among the older generation (55+), 18-34-year-olds are mainly informed about the Coronavirus through Internet, but unlike other generations, sharing of information with friends and relatives is higher, every fourth citizen discusses or receives information about the vaccination against coronavirus from a close friend or relative.
Every third citizen of Tbilisi aged 18-34 believes that he will have to get vaccinated next year. Citizens aged 34-55 (26%) are optimistic to plan to get the vaccine in the fall of 2021 if it is in place. 23% of the 55+ older generation also think they will get vaccinated in the fall of 2021. Research shows that, unlike the people who are not at risk and the people with special needs, the ordinary citizens are not probably like to get vaccinated in the spring. However, the small percentage difference in the overall picture and the percentage of "I do not know" answers (12%) shows that the population is confused and is not clearly determined when the full vaccination of the population is likely to start in the country. (კვლევის თარიღი ?)
Vaccination readiness by generation is highly expressed among citizens aged 55+ (43%). This can be explained by the understanding of being at risk at this age. However, every fourth citizen of this age has not yet decided to be vaccinated, and every third is not going to get vaccinated against the coronavirus at all.
The highest rate of ambiguousness regarding getting a Vaccination or not is observed among the millennials, with 32% not knowing if they need to get vaccinated. Only 41% of millennials are saying they are ready for the vaccination process, and 26% of respondents are not willing to be vaccinated at this stage.
The percentage ratio of respondents in the overall picture of citizens’ readiness for the vaccine indicates that the population of Tbilisi is not yet convinced about the uttermost need for vaccination, every third citizen is not ready (31%) for the coronavirus vaccine or has not yet been decided (29%).
The survey shows that in the process of decision-making Tbilisi citizens are likely to consider the opinion of the following community groups: medical staff (59%), familiar competent medical workers (32%), and the church representatives (12%).
The main reason for abstaining from vaccination, according to the survey, is distrusting the COVID-19 vaccine (34%), which is mostly demonstrated in people aged 55+ (40%). Every third citizen is concerned with the side effects that may bring the vaccine (32%). 13 percent of 18-34-year-olds say they are not worried about getting the coronavirus at all.
Against the background of general high distrust, it is of interest to know which vaccine is the most trusted by Tbilisi citizens and which are they categorically against getting. ACT was interested to learn what is the attitude of citizens toward all the famous vaccines existing on the market. The survey found that among the most reliable vaccines are American-made Pfizer and Moderna (50%) and European-made vaccines - Bio-N-Tech and Astrazeneca (46%). The majority of Tbilisi citizens are not ready to get the Russian and Chinese vaccines, moreover, 63% of citizens say they will not accept the Russian-made Sputnik V under any circumstances, and every second citizen (53%) refuses to be vaccinated with the Chinese vaccine – Sinopharm.
*According to the Kovacs platform vaccine distribution plan, Georgia will receive a total of 215,000 AstraZeneca and Pfizer / Bio-N-Tech vaccines’ supply in two stages, although the plan does not specify when the vaccines are to be delivered to the country. Therefore, against the background of high expectations and existing distrust, it becomes important to provide additional information to the population about the vaccination plan and its positive effects.
*Kovacs platform vaccine distribution plan: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/act-accelerator/covax/covax-interim-distribution-forecast.pdf?sfvrsn=7889475d_5
* Survey was conducted through sampling method among 414 adult residents of Tbilisi on 16-18 February, 2021. Methodology used – phone survey. Statistical deviation rate not exceeding 4.9%.
Curfew and other regulations in everyday life that are focused on limiting the spread of virus and prevention still remain topical. After the end of critical second wave, regulations set in force by the government throughout Georgia are gradually lightened, but curfew after 9 p.m. still remains as a painful topic for Tbilisi residents among restriction of the movement of public transport on holidays and online format of educational institutions.
After severe epidemiological situation, virus outbreak and increased death rate as well as high pressure on the healthcare system that occurred during the second wave, the government does not hurry to completely lighten regulations set in force.
ACT conducted another interesting research on this topic covering the residents of Tbilisi. As a result of the study, it turns out that as assessed by Tbilisi residents, in the process of managing epidemiological situation the government is not completely effective, particular criticism came from 18-34 year-old residents of the capital city, their assessment of the government’s effectiveness is 5.25 on 10-point scale. In addition, every second (51%) respondent from this age group believes that the measures taken by the government are too strict compared to the severity of the epidemiological situation.
Loyalty of citizens in assessing effectiveness of the government in managing the pandemic situation increases along with the age, 55+ Tbilisi residents believe that the government effectively manages epidemiological situation (6.12) and measures taken by the government are relevant to the epidemiological condition. Overall, Tbilisi residents rated effectiveness of the government with 5.75 points, while opinions split when assessing the strictness point – almost half of respondents (45%) believe that measures taken by the government are relevant, while the other part (43%) declare that measures are too strict compared to the severity of situation. This assessment does not coincide with Georgia’s rating on the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker, where the country is on the second step (75-85) of strictness on 100-point scale.
What do Tbilisi residents believe is the most important regulation in the process of fight against the pandemic and which regulation is the hardest to fulfill for them?
As believed by inquired respondents, top three most important regulations against the pandemic are: 1. Restriction of entertainment and cultural events and ceremonies (6.56), 2. Restriction on international flights (6.50) and 3. Restriction on visiting restaurants and food places (6.32). The picture is different for different generations – in 35-55 age group, restriction on visiting restaurants is replaced by the curfew, in addition, this regulation appeared to be lighter than others for 55+ Tbilisi residents, while the most painful regulation is restriction (6.06) of public transportation.
Residents in 34-55 age group believe that the hardest regulation is closure of kindergartens, schools and universities and switching to online format, because logically, number of parents is prevalent in this generation who have to personally cope with this regulation. This generation also painfully perceive restriction on international flights which is also explained by active travelling. Among all the regulations set in force by the government, millennials name regulations associated with socialization as the most important restriction, this imply restriction of entertainment and cultural events, international flights and visiting restaurants.
The study clarifies that youth agrees with parents’ generation on restriction of study process at educational institutions and also are disappointed because of the curfew which is related to active night life lived by this generation. In addition, 18-34 year-old youngsters perceive the said regulation as less effective in the fight against the pandemic similar to restriction of domestic transport and winter resorts in the winter. Such attitude demonstrates that young people do not perceive those three regulations as effective and have high expectations they will be abolished soon. They think that in active fight against the pandemic, it is important to set regulations on entertainment and cultural events, international flights and educational institutions.
The government of Georgia already announces additional relieve of restrictions, presumably, the country’s index on Strictness Tracker will change from March.
The inquiry was conducted through random sampling with 414 adult residents of Tbilisi on February 16-18 of 2020. Utilized method – telephone interviewing. Statistical error of data does not exceed 4.9%.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected people’s lifestyle and financial condition. According to the study conducted in the end of 2020, in the month of December, 60% of respondents reported on worsened financial condition of their family. 34% of respondents believe that their financial condition has not changed, while 3% reported on improved financial situation.
Cutting costs is noticeable in the perspective of monthly expenses, during the pandemic, 47% of respondents spend less than before the pandemic. 30% of respondents spend the same amount of money as they used to before the pandemic and 23% of respondents now spend more than before the pandemic.
It is worth mentioning that the majority of respondents – 34% now spend more on food and beverages. 27% of respondents now spend more on household essentials (detergents, hygiene, self-care items), as for the healthcare costs (doctor, tests, medications), the 27% of respondents now spend more. the majority of respondents (75%) explain that they have to spend more because prices of products went up.
Every second respondent now spends less on transportation (transportation fee, fuel). As for large purchases (apartment, summer house, furniture, car, household appliances), six out of ten potential buyers avoid making large purchases.
The inquiry was conducted through random sampling with 403 adult residents of Tbilisi on December 11-13 of 2020. Statistical error of data does not exceed 4.9%. Utilized method – telephone interviewing.
Behavior of Tbilisi residents has drastically changed in terms of various activities during the pandemic in 2020. We were interested to find out how has the behavior changed compared to March 14-15 of 2020 as the regulations became stricter.
According to the study conducted in December of 2020, the majority of inquired respondents changed their behavior in many directions, such as: 51% of respondents cut down and 12% of them completely stopped using cash; 36% of respondents stopped visiting parks and squares; as for physical activity (working out at home, in the street, sportsground), only 22% of inquired respondents quit this activity.
According to the study conducted in March of 2020, 40% of inquired respondents stopped visiting others while share of such respondents was 55% as of December 11-13 of 2020. Respectively, as of March, 36% of respondents do not invite guests at home any more, while number of such respondents is 56% in December.
As for attending birthday parties and funerals, respondents were even less active in this activity in December of 2020. 43% of respondents in March and 60% of respondents inquired in December reported on carrying out this activity less frequently or not at all.
*The inquiry was conducted through random sampling with 403 adult residents of Tbilisi on December 11-13 of 2020. Statistical error of data does not exceed 4.9%. Utilized method – telephone interviewing.