KUALA LUMPUR: The support for vaccine mandates in Malaysia is particularly strong with more than 80% of the population supporting proof of Covid-19 vaccination for travelling, eating at a restaurant or entering a workplace, a study reveals.
The study also revealed a similar share of support for mandatory vaccinations for anyone who is eligible.
Ipsos Malaysia, in a statement Thursday (March 3), said the study with the title "Vaccine Mandates” shows that 83% of Malaysia's population strongly or somewhat strongly supported requiring people to have a vaccine jab before returning to normal activities such as travel.
It said 84% strongly or somewhat strongly supported restaurants requiring proof of vaccination to eat inside; employers requiring workers to get a vaccine before returning to the workplace (83%); and making a Covid-19 vaccine mandatory for anyone eligible to receive one (82%).
The online study involved 20,525 adults aged under 75 years old across 30 countries, with the Malaysian sample at 500 individuals.
Ipsos Malaysia public affairs associate director Lars Erik Lie said the Omicron wave was at its peak in Malaysia and it appeared to be receding globally, sparking renewed optimism that life will start to return to normal.
"However, the persistence of the virus in the form of new variants indicates that we may have to learn how to live with the virus, rather than looking for it to disappear completely," he said.
According to him, a majority of people across the world believed they will not be able to fully stop the spread of the virus, regardless of the measures being implemented.
While in many countries variations of vaccine policies remain in place to reduce the negative impact of living with Covid-19, there is broad support to keep some policies in place, he added. - Bernama
