For months, Americans looked for a Wuhan coronavirus vaccine as a way to end the pandemic. Now that the FDA has approved Pfizer and Moderna vaccines with Emergency Use Authorization (USA) and the vaccines are being distributed, how many Americans are willing to receive the COVID vaccine?
New research with Scott Rasmussen and Just the News found that the majority of Americans – 65 percent – are delaying getting the vaccine, while some don’t get it all. On the other hand, just under a third of respondents – 31 percent – want to receive the vaccine “as soon as possible”. Four percent, however, said they were still undecided.
Interestingly, a survey by ABC News and Ipsos earlier this month found that 39% of Americans believe that states should make Wuhan’s coronavirus mandatory. Respondents to this survey also said they are open to receiving the vaccine at some point, but are more likely to postpone. According to the ABC survey, 40% will be vaccinated as soon as they can. That number rose to 57% among people over 65. On the other hand, 40% say they will wait a while to get the vaccine. That number rose to 52 percent among minorities.
Americans’ reluctance to receive the Wuhan coronavirus vaccine could be a problem for the country. Scientists say that at least 60% of the population – although 75 to 80% is ideal – need to receive the vaccine for it to be effective.
What that means is simple: Americans are reluctant to get the vaccine because they worry about how long it takes to develop and what potential side effects – both short and long term – can develop. It is no use when a nurse passes out soon after receiving the vaccine (even if medical authorities say it is unrelated) or there is a potential for a brief facial paralysis. Ultimately, each person has to decide what is best for them, their health and their family.