Anti-vaccination supporters in Olympia, Wash., protesting the state’s stay-at-home orders. Jason Redmond/Getty Images
But recent studies suggest that 35% might not want to get a COVID vaccine, and fewer than half received a flu vaccine for the 2019-2020 season.
To arrest the pandemic’s spread, perhaps 70% to 80% of the population must opt in and get the vaccine. They also need the flu shot to avoid co-infection which complicates diagnosis and treatment.
Achieving herd immunity is a steep climb. We conducted a national online survey, with 1,264 participants, between June 22 and July 18. We found that only 56% of adults said they were likely or extremely likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Westerners were most accepting (64%), followed by Midwesterners (58%), with Southerners (53%) and Northeasterners (50%) least likely.
Anti-vaxxers, promoting unlikely scenarios and outright falsehoods about vaccine risks, are not helping.
With all this in mind, we would like to share some myths and truths about how to increase rates of vaccinations. Read more >>