More than 4,000 readers voted, and most are fine proving they’ve been vaccinated

If there’s anything the last year and a half of the pandemic has taught us, it’s that the rules around best practices to combat the virus can change quickly. As the Delta variant spreads and coronavirus cases rise, the latest restriction being hotly debated is a proof of vaccination requirement for indoor businesses. 

Last week New York City became the first major city to announce that it would require proof of vaccination at indoor businesses, including restaurants and bars, gyms, and performance venues, starting on Sept. 13. Such a mandate isn’t in place in any Massachusetts towns, and according to Gov. Charlie Baker, isn’t on the table as a statewide requirement. Earlier this month, his administration announced plans put in place a vaccine requirement for skilled staff at nursing facilities.

We asked Boston.com readers if they would welcome a proof of vaccination mandate in Massachusetts, and most readers said they would. We heard from 4,425 readers, and 57% of them said they would support a proof of vaccination mandate in their town or neighborhood.

“I am more likely to frequent a business with a proof of vaccination policy,” said Andrew Fischer from Brookline. “It would be safer, both for me and for the general public.”

Forty-four percent of readers polled said they didn’t want the government making any mandates about vaccination.

“Proof of a vaccine passport is a gross and undeniable breach of privacy,” one reader said. “This opens the flood gates to discrimination, unfair treatment of people with medical/religious exemptions, and more separation and hate.”

There was some skepticism among readers that support proof of vaccination mandates about how such mandates would be carried out and enforced. 

“Proof would be difficult to verify without a standard certificate of some kind with hologram and state seal,” said one reader. 

Close to 800 readers elaborated on how they felt about potential vaccination requirements at businesses. Read ahead to see where they stand on the issue.

Should Mass. have a proof of vaccination requirement for indoor businesses?

Yes, issue a mandate

“It is time for the unvaccinated to bear the brunt of the inconvenience. It will still be their choice to refuse a life-saving vaccine that protects the community, so it will be their choice to deny themselves the privilege of going to stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, etc. Proof of vaccination mandates are the bare minimum of responsible government action at this point, in addition to mandating vaccination for all workers in industries that require interaction with high-risk individuals, seniors, and unvaccinated children.” — Anonymous

“It is comforting knowing I’m eating out with other vaccinated people. Not only does it reduce the risk of me getting a “breakthrough” infection, but I can also rest assured knowing that if I was infected, then there was a lower chance of me infecting others.” — Anonymous

“As someone with a vaccinated family member who has also been diagnosed with cancer, I am more willing to shop at businesses that demonstrate they care about the health of the most vulnerable people in their community by requiring proof of vaccination.” — Carolyn, Quincy

“I will only go to businesses that require proof of vaccination. The unvaccinated are a group I don’t want to be around. Period.” — Matt, Weymouth    

“I was hesitant about government mandates for vaccines, preferring that individual businesses and institutions decide for themselves. But it’s clear we need to set a tone that everyone needs to be vaccinated for this all to be over. I’m in favor of a vaccine mandate but contingent on no new mask mandates; if we are truly “following the science” then vaccines are the true defense against COVID, not masks, and anyone thinking we need masks-not-vaccines or a double vaccine-mask mandate is just subscribing to hygiene theater, something we don’t need in this critical stage of the pandemic.” — Daniel Gostin, Brookline

No, this is overreach

“Absolutely appalling this is even a question!!! In no way shape or form should the government force people to get a vaccine. I’m disgusted in New York and I hope Massachusetts does the right thing and does not require it.” — Bridgette

“Not sure what is happening to our country that we’ve gotten to a place where we think it’s ok to mandate an experimental drug with no long-term safety studies. Where’s the common sense? Vaccinated get and spread COVID, shouldn’t we ban them from going inside places too? I’m a Democrat who believes in ‘my body, my choice’ no matter what the circumstances are.” — Kelly, North Shore

“The majority of MA residents are vaccinated. Proof of vaccine is mostly unnecessary here. If I lived in Florida, Texas, and other poorly vaccinated areas where COVID is rampant I would say yes but only as a safety measure and short term.” — Cate C.,  Westwood

“No, I do not support proof of vaccination mandates and I do not support mask mandates or vaccination mandates. I stand for freedom of choice, not government mandates that fit a political agenda.” — Kim, Plymouth

“The government doesn’t get a say in how I take care of my own health. I believe in healthy eating, exercise, socializing with friends, and sunshine. I won’t let the government dictate how I live my life. And many millions of Americans won’t either.” — Jessica, Norfolk

Would you visit any indoor businesses with proof of vaccination requirements?

We also asked readers if they would give their business to establishments that required proof of vaccination for patrons. Several businesses in the state have already made the decision to have such requirements including the Boston nightclub Club Café, Nantucket music venue The Chicken Box, and The Quiet Few, a bar in East Boston. A Brighton brewery will even offer a mobile vaccination site on August 15 to encourage guests to get vaccinated.

Of the 4,425 people polled, 62% said they would have no problem visiting indoor businesses where they’d have to show they were vaccinated, while roughly 39% said they would take their business elsewhere if mandates were put into place. There were 82 readers who gave other explanations for what decision they’d make, like one who said they would comply if it was state-mandated, but not if individual businesses created their own rules. 

Read a sampling of readers’ responses below.

Yes, ‘support our community businesses‘

“I personally would choose a business that trusted the science and protected its customers by requiring vaccines, if that choice were available.” — Phil, Boston

“There is no harm in having to prove that you’ve done your part to protect the community. If you’re feeling safe enough to go out for recreational activities it should be because you’re vaccinated. Going out to dinner isn’t a necessary activity. If you are uncomfortable with the intrusion on your privacy, stay home a little longer. Those of us who are vaccinated will support our community businesses through the pandemic. Giving them your business doesn’t help if you’re spreading illness through the community and through the staff of these businesses.” — Anonymous

“Why should I have to be scared to go into a business (and potentially limit that business’s patronage) when I did the right thing and got vaccinated? Others need to cut the garbage about this being a private health choice. You forfeit that right when it starts infringing on others’ ability to live a normal life! You have to show proof that you’re old enough to drink, you have to show a driver’s license to operate a potentially very dangerous piece of machinery. You can’t go to college without the pertinent vaccines. How is this any different? Get over it and let’s all get back to living a normal life!” — Alexis Hines, Hopkinton

“I just planned a weekend to NYC so I can feel safe going out to dinner and shopping. I won’t be going into Boston anytime soon. Having a ‘vaccination required’ is what Boston businesses should require.” — Anonymous

No, I’ll take my business elsewhere

“I would show my vaccine card and then proceed not to enter the establishment.” — Anonymous

“It’s discrimination. The vaccine does not protect you from getting it or spreading COVID so why would we need it to enter a building?” — Jackie, Douglas 

“Any sanctimonious restauranteur who doesn’t want my business won’t get it. I’m this close to leaving the city I love and have called home for my entire life, and a mandate would push me over the edge.” — Mike, Brighton

“Absolutely no way should you have to show proof of vaccination. I would boycott the businesses. What about all the people out there that have natural immunity from having COVID. It’s very discriminatory!” — Anonymous

“Not only do I not agree with vaccination passports, but I would also stop doing business with places that require it — regardless of my vaccination status.” — Anonymous

Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. 

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.

Zipporah Osei

Audience Engagement Editor

Zipporah Osei is an audience engagement editor for Boston.com, where she connects with readers on site and across social media.

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