Analysis of the possibilities of protecting human capital in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic

The work is devoted to the urgent problem of protecting human capital (HC) in the context of an epidemic threat. The study aims to analyse the possibilities of activating the use of vaccination to protect the HC of Russia in the conditions of the Covid-19 epidemic. The subject of the study is a system of factors affecting people's motivation to activate self-defence in an epidemic threat. An online survey of 600 respondents aged 35-44 and over 55 years is used as the primary research method. Most of them (73-81%) acquired immunity to Covid-19, including 30-34% were ill, and the rest were vaccinated. This means that it is essential to ensure sufficient immunity of inclusive groups of the population at this stage of the epidemic, particularly those who require revaccination and for whom vaccines have not been developed before. Only 1.1% fell ill with Covid-19 after vaccination and were hospitalised among the respondents. A set of factors that need to be taken into account to build effective communication with the population has been identified, in particular, the main doubts of the population regarding vaccination, sources of information that are most trusted by people, as well as those that raise doubts about the need for vaccination. It is shown that the losses of the HC of Russia from Covid-19 lead to a loss of GDP of more than 15 billion euros over the life cycle of lost workers. Insurance companies have developed relatively inexpensive (€12-24) insurance programs in case of complications after vaccination. The majority of respondents (60%) showed interest in such programs. State support could increase their attractiveness to the population and significantly contribute to the activation of vaccination. The study results can be used to develop programs for saving HC and countering epidemics, in particular, through vaccination.