Vaccine Hesitancy Persists

Coronavirus cases and deaths are falling rapidly in the U.S. Several weeks of frigid weather keeping people inside coupled with an increase in vaccine distribution could be playing a role in cases dropping, and many are expecting the trend to continue as the country approaches the warmer weather of spring. While vaccine doses are being administered at record levels across most U.S. states, survey data shows a lingering hesitancy and lack of trust in the vaccine science could prevent a quick adoption of herd immunity.

A new survey of 1,500 U.S. adults from YouGov shows nearly 50 percent of respondents say they either don’t plan on getting the vaccine when it becomes available to them or they’re still unsure. Another 39 percent say they will get the vaccine when it’s available, while 12 percent say they’ve already received the vaccine (despite data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing only 6 percent of the population have received the recommended two vaccine doses.)

While some who say they won’t take the vaccine have a mistrust in the science, others may still be hesitant based on being unsure of when and where to go for the vaccine, whether they can take time off from work or other personal factors preventing them from immediately going to get their shot.