Recent findings from a NORC at the University of Chicago study have determined if a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, 49 percent of respondents said they plan to get vaccinated.
The nationwide poll was conducted May 14-18, 2020, via the AmeriSpeak Panel – the probability-based panel of NORC at the University of Chicago, which revealed 20 percent of the 1,056 adult respondents indicated they would not be vaccinated and 31 percent were not sure. The online and telephone interviews used landlines and cell phones.
Per the analysis, older Americans and those concerned they or someone in their household could be infected with the virus are more inclined to express they will get a coronavirus vaccine once it becomes available. Black Americans are more likely than other racial and ethnic groups to say they do not plan to get the vaccine if it becomes available.
The poll results showed 79 percent of Americans believe a vaccine is an important criterion for reopening activities and businesses in their area, noting 46 percent of respondents believe a vaccine is essential for reopening, and 33 percent indicated it is important but not essential.
Those planning to get the vaccine are doing so primarily to protect themselves and their families, the survey noted. Still, many want to protect their community and believe widespread vaccination is necessary for life to go back to normal.