Attitudes towards a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in France for the general population or healthcare workers in May 2021

Abstract Introduction In France, in June 2021, the daily number of first doses of COVID-19 vaccines is decreasing and vaccine coverage might be insufficient to achieve herd immunity. Making vaccination mandatory might contribute to increasing vaccine coverage although this measure could induce reactance. Our aim was to evaluate attitudes to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in France. Our aim was to evaluate attitudes of toward COVID-19 mandatory vaccination in France. Methods Between the 10th and the 23rd of May 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among a representative sample of the French population aged 18 and over participants. Results Among 3,056 respondents, 1,314 (43.0 %) were in favor of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, 1,281 (41.9 %) were opposed to such a policy, and 461 (15.1 %) were undecided. Among opponents to COVID-19 mandatory vaccination for the general population, 385 (30.05 %) were in favor of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers. Younger individuals, individuals with little fear of getting infected, no intention of getting vaccinated, lack of trust in the government, and respondents who felt close to the green party or the far left were associated with opposition to a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. Conclusion Attitudes toward mandatory COVID-19 vaccination are split in the French general population, and the debate might be politicized. Funding This research was carried out within the COVIREIVAC platform (intended for COVID-19 vaccine clinical research) and received financial support from INSERM, the Ministry of Health, and The Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.