VACCINATION AS AN ELEMENT OF HEALTH CULTURE
Background . The health crisis caused by the new coronavirus infection has led to the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccination. Although vaccination is one of the most effective public health measures, vaccine criticism and anti-vaccination movement represent a challenge that many states around the world face in the 21st century. Vaccination studies as an element of a health culture will overcome the negative social perceptions associated with epidemics and infections. The aim of the study is to identify attitudes towards preventive vaccination in general and against COVID-19 in particular. Materials and methods. A secondary analysis of the data allows describing the data of various studies conducted both in Russia and abroad. In addition, the results of a trial sociological survey show data on the attitude of students, pensioners and medical workers regarding vaccination. Results. The new coronavirus infection took almost the whole world by surprise. Various governments have adopted several public health strategies: self-isolation and lockdown, restrictions on financial and social activity, bans on international travel, vaccination of the population. Most of the respondents during the trial sociological survey have already been vaccinated. However, there are those who deliberately refuse vaccination for various reasons. We attribute to the most popular: they do not believe in the effectiveness of vaccination, they are afraid of complications and adverse reactions, they do not trust the composition of the vaccine, they do not see the point in vaccinations, they have had COVID-19, or they are afraid to get sick after vaccination. Conclusions. The results of the study show that residents of the Tambov Region are concerned about the current situation related to COVID-19. In general, they welcome the state measures to reduce the economic, political and social consequences of the pandemic. Thus, a wait-and-see strategy regarding the vaccination process leads to complex consequences, such as fear, panic, increased anxiety, distrust in politics, public authorities and research.