AP-NORC poll: Only 49% of Americans would get vaccinated against coronavirus

According to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research only 49% of Americans say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine should an effective one be discovered.

The poll, released Wednesday, found 31% were not sure if they would get vaccinated and another 20% said they would refuse.

Forty-two percent of people who do not want a vaccine say they are concerned about getting infected with COVID-19 from it.

These numbers contrast sharply with the effort and speed devoted to finding a vaccine that could mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

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Caitlin Oppenheimer, who leads NORC’s public health research thinks the uncertainty is a key element for explaining these results.”There’s still a large amount of uncertainty around taking the vaccine. There is a lot of opportunities to communicate with Americans about the value and the safety of a vaccine.”

While great efforts are being made against the clock, even sacrificing important steps for the development of a vaccine in the shortest possible time the new poll shows the public is indeed skeptical.

Among Americans who say they would not get vaccinated, 7 in 10 worry about safety.

About 4 in 10 from this group say they’re concerned about catching COVID-19 from the shot. And 3 in 10 who do not want a vaccine do not fear to get seriously ill from the coronavirus.

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Dr. Francis Collins, who directs the National Institutes of Health, insists safety is the top priority. “Definitely the worst thing that could happen is if we rush through a vaccine that turns out to have significant side effects,” said Collins.

On the other side, those who want a vaccine, the AP-NORC poll found protecting themselves, their family and the community are the top reasons.

The poll found just 25% of African Americans and 37% of Hispanics would get a vaccine compared to 56% of whites.

Political divisions are also reflected in desire for a vaccine. More than half of Democrats call a vaccine necessary for reopening, compared to about a third of Republicans. While 62% of Democrats would get the vaccine, only 43% of Republicans say the same.