Young people would be less willing to receive a coronavirus vaccine than older people, according to a new survey.
Of those 18-24 years old, 67% said they would be happy to have a vaccine for COVID-19, compared to 81% of those over 65, according to a YouGov poll of 4,302 adults.
Meanwhile, 66% of the 25-49 and 70% of the 50-65 said they would have the vaccine when it becomes available.
And 8% of people ages 18-24 said they would reject a vaccine, while 24% said they didn’t know.
Overall, 71% of people said they would take the vaccine, compared with 10% who would not and 19% who said they did not know.
Overall, 71% of Britons said they would have a coronavirus vaccine. (YouGov)
A scientist working in the manufacturing laboratory where a COVID-19 vaccine is produced at Churchill Hospital in Oxford. (PENNSYLVANIA)
The survey results come after it was revealed on Monday that the COVID-19 vaccine being developed at Oxford University is safe and induces an immune reaction.
The researchers say their tests have revealed that the jab could provide double protection against the coronavirus, meaning it elicits a response from both parts of the immune system.
The early-stage trial found that the vaccine is safe and causes few side effects.
As hopes grow for a possible vaccine that will bring life back to normal, England’s medical director said it should not be mandatory.
He told the Commons health and welfare committee that making the vaccine mandatory was not his preferred option.
“Forcing people to get vaccinated doesn’t seem like a good answer under any circumstances,” he said.
“It is very possible that we obtain a vaccine that, in any case, protects the individual but has no benefit for society, it is simply protecting the individual.
“In which case, it’s entirely a matter of choice whether someone wants to protect themselves against this potentially important disease.”
Whitty also said she does not believe the vaccine will be available for Christmas, adding: “We are incredibly excited and proud of what the UK has done leading the way in vaccine science here and funding vaccines elsewhere.”
“But no one should be under any illusion: The chance that we will receive a vaccine before Christmas that is actually highly effective is, in my opinion, very low.”
Whitty’s comments came after Health Secretary Matt Hancock left open the option that the British could be forced to take a coronavirus vaccine.
Professor Chris Whitty, medical director for England, said that a coronavirus vaccine should not be mandatory. (PENNSYLVANIA)
During a briefing in May, Hancock said the government “had not yet addressed” the issue.
He told reporters: “We will only recommend a vaccine if it is safe and that means that if we receive a vaccine, and I hope we do, and people are asked to vaccinate, then they absolutely should, because we will only do it.” based on clinical advice that it is safe. “
“The question of whether it is mandatory is not one that we have addressed yet.
“We are still in time to have a vaccine available. Given the magnitude of this crisis, I would expect the overwhelming need for us to overcome this and for the country to recover, and the very positive impact that a vaccine would have, for everyone to have the vaccine. ”
