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Nearly seven in 10 Americans would be interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available, according to a new study. But researchers say there are worrying gaps in interest, particularly among African-Americans, who suffer disproportionately from the virus.
Researchers at Ohio State University surveyed more than 2,000 Americans in May, asking them about their willingness to get vaccinated and about 11 factors that could influence that decision. They found that 1,374 of 2006 people in the survey, 69%, said they would “definitely” or “probably” receive a vaccine. The survey found that 17% were “not sure” and 14% “probably or” definitely “not willing.
The study, one of the first estimates of the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in the US, appears online in the journal. Vaccine.
Lead researcher Paul Reiter, associate professor of health behavior and health promotion, said he suspected there would be a higher-than-normal interest in this vaccine, considering the nature of the pandemic and the severity of the disease that many people have experienced. .
“The interest here is greater than we normally see for the influenza vaccine and other vaccines where there is a strong public health need for widespread protection,” he said.
The strongest predictors of whether someone said they would accept a vaccine were how well the vaccine works and whether their healthcare provider would recommend it. The threat to people’s perceived personal health from COVID-19 also strongly influenced their willingness to get vaccinated, the researchers found.
“That aligns with what we see in public health in a variety of areas: If someone is perceived to be at higher risk of having a health problem, that will make them more likely to engage in health behavior, in this case vaccination. “Reiter said.
One of the most unexpected findings of this study, and something that is not typical of public health research, is the correlation between political affiliation and willingness to adopt a public health intervention, Reiter said. Respondents who identified themselves as liberal or moderate were significantly more likely to accept a vaccine.
“COVID-19 has become a political issue in many cases, and I think some people just choose their side based on that, without much research,” he said. “We have seen it with the use of masks. It is a promising public health intervention, but it has become a political tinderbox.”
The most concerning finding was among African American respondents, with only 55% saying they were willing to get vaccinated.
“Given the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infection and death among African Americans, it is concerning to see that black survey participants had less interest in a vaccine,” Reiter said.
“I think there are likely several factors at play, including access to care and trust in health care and potential socioeconomic barriers.”
Lowering those barriers is important as only 35% of study participants would pay $ 50 or more out of pocket for a COVID-19 vaccine, Reiter said.
As of the first week of September, 10 states had indicated plans to offer free vaccines when available, according to KFF (formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation).
Reiter said public health leaders and policy makers can watch this study as they shape efforts to communicate the benefits (and risks) of a COVID-19 vaccine, once one is approved for general use.
“You hear a lot about vaccination and the benefits of herd immunity, the idea that when enough people have resistance to a virus, the threat to the entire population is reduced. At 70%, we may or may not get there,” Reiter . said.
That makes it especially important to work on educational efforts, barrier removal, and other strategies to increase the chances of vaccination among those facing the highest risk of serious illness or death. If the COVID-19 vaccine requires more than one dose, it will present even more challenges, she said, a reality that has become clear in recent years with efforts to fully vaccinate young people against HPV to help prevent cancer. The HPV vaccine requires at least two doses and three when given later in adolescence.
Although the poll was conducted four months ago, Reiter said he doesn’t expect there to be much change in terms of public perception.
“As we get closer to the availability of a vaccine, factors that could further affect public interest will include cost and the number of doses required,” he said.
Other Ohio state researchers who worked on the study include Mira Katz and Michael Pennell.
The National Center for the Advancement of Translational Sciences provided funding for the research.
