Only 52% of white adults in the country are willing to get the Covid-19 vaccine, compared to three-quarters of their black counterparts, the Human Sciences Research Council and the University of Johannesburg said yesterday.
Side effects and concerns that the vaccine will be ineffective are the most common self-reported explanations for vaccine hesitancy.
About 7.8% of the population is white.
The survey of 7 631 people was conducted between June 25 and July 12 and was the fourth carried out by the institutions.
Overall, 72% of South Africans are willing to get vaccinated, up from 67%.