More than 1,000 readers voted: Here’s how many say they’ll get the COVID-19 vaccine
“I and my children are nobody's guinea pig."
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What if thousands of hours and billions of dollars were spent devising a COVID-19 vaccine, and nobody took it?
While it’s highly unlikely that nobody will get in line for the vaccines slated to roll out in the coming months, there seems to be a nagging concern that a fair number of people might say thanks, but no thanks — and that their hesitancy could hamper its effectiveness for society as a whole. “In order for people to have confidence in the vaccine, they need to have confidence in the process,” noted former White House physician Dr. Rajeev Venkayya.
With that in mind, we went to Boston.com readers to ask: Will you be rolling up your sleeve for the vaccine at the first possible opportunity? Will you let your kids get it? What concerns do you have about the vaccine rollout? More than 1,000 readers responded to our unscientific poll, and while their concerns were many — possible long-term side effects and the relatively untested nature of so-called mRNA vaccines, like those for the coronavirus, chief among them — most seem ready to take the chance.
Here’s what the results showed:
1) Will you take a coronavirus vaccine as soon as it’s available?
The numbers here were frankly encouraging: Doctors have estimated that ideally about 70% of the population should get the vaccine for it to be most effective in curbing the spread of the virus — and 71% of Boston.com readers who voted said they’d do just that.
Of course, 11% said they don’t ever intend to get the vaccine — they’ll take their chances, thanks — and another 18% or so want to wait a while to make sure nothing bad happens to that first 70%.
2) Would you allow your child to get the vaccine as soon as it’s available?
People are a little more hesitant on this count, and with the initial round of vaccines being recommended by the CDC for adults 18 and over only, that only makes sense. A total of 62% of parents who responded were comfortable letting their kids get vaccinated right out of the gate, with 36% preferring a wait-and-see approach, even after a vaccine is rolled out for youngsters.
As for those who won’t ever be getting their kids the shot, that hovered right in the same neighborhood as the decliners above, with just shy of 12%.
3) Are you concerned about others NOT taking the vaccine, making it less effective overall?
More than half of our respondents — 51% — say they’re not dwelling on what other people are planning to do, and will concentrate on their own choices. This is in stark contrast to the 42% who are concerned that people who turn down a vaccination are going to mess things up for everybody, gosh darn it. And 7% are optimists who are convinced more than enough people will come around in the end to make the vaccination fully effective.
4) If you DON’T plan on taking the vaccine: Are you concerned your decision will make it less effective for society as a whole?
Of the 1,000 or so people who responded to our poll overall, 378 answered this optional question. And we probably shouldn’t be surprised that almost half — 49% — responded to the question of whether their decision might adversely affect others with, “Not my problem.” (We’ll go out on a limb and suggest this could actually be part of the problem, but that’s neither here nor there.)
Meanwhile, 40% have convinced themselves that somehow everything will work out fine thanks to all the other people who get the shot, and 11% at least have the decency to feel guilty about it.
Check back later this week when we provide expert responses to our readers’ questions about the vaccine rollout.
Here are some of the vaccine concerns raised by Boston.com readers:
“The mRNA vaccine has been deemed ‘safe’ but has never been used [in the U.S.] before. It is not the typical dead virus used. It is being pushed through at warp speed but the long-term effects are not fully known. I will wait for a better vaccine than the Moderna or Pfizer ones being pushed.”
“Obvious concern is the unknown long-term effects if any. However, I trust medical science as a vast number of people would not be alive today without vaccines in general. It’s just common sense.”
“That it was rushed, and that either it won’t be effective enough or there won’t be enough trials and studies [so] people on the fence won’t get it. It needs to be as widely spread as possible to be effective.”
“The accelerated timetable and political implications.”
“I heard you get a bit sick afterwards. I’m concerned about how sick people get.”
“We need everyone to work on this together. If a portion of the community doesn’t do their part then it will take longer, and that’s not necessary.” — Phil, Shrewsbury
“Many reasons including the fact that the RNA technology is very new, vaccine manufacturers are not held to nearly the same liability standards for drug safety, and the fact that this is a virus that the vast majority survive. Why risk the health of my family for something that is little benefit?” — John, Weston
“Not an anti-vaxxer, concerned that this new type of shot has been rushed and we still don’t know the long-term effects on humans using a new mRNA shot. If it was a traditional shot and not mRNA or DNA I would take it. Also, mRNA has ‘proprietary’ elements in the shot that I will not accept into my body, no GMO (genetically modified organisms) for myself and kids. I do not eat GMO food either.” — David, Boston
“I and my children are nobody’s guinea pig.”
“I’m concerned that the approval process was biased towards approving it because the country is waiting on a vaccine to control the pandemic since we won’t properly distance or adopt masks.” — Natalie, Boston
“Though I plan to get the vaccine as soon as possible, I do understand a desire to understand more long-term potential side effects of the vaccine we may not know for a while. However, the benefit of as many people getting vaccinated as soon as possible, in order to keep myself and others safe, outweighs this risk for me and I intend to get it as soon as possible! (Unless otherwise told by my doctors.)” — Emily, Jamaica Plain
“I WILL NOT PUT ANY FOREIGN OBJECT IN MY BODY … I HAVE AND NEVER WILL GET THE FLU SHOT … I WAS BROUGHT INTO THIS WORLD WITHOUT MEDICINE, I WILL GO OUT THE SAME WAY. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOING TO HAVE CONTROL OF WHAT I DO WITH MY BODY.”
“Industry always overstates their own performance, so it’s not as strong as they say it is. Also, GOP has actively tried, and succeeded, to destroy trust in government and the public apparatus so anything the GOP is involved in, I’m not interested. I will wait 1-2 years for more information and then talk to my doctor.” — Steve, Haverhill
“I’m not worried about getting it in the long run and likely WILL opt to get vaccinated sometime fall 2021 or sooner if a viable vaccine comes out using traditional methods. The mRNA vaccines in particular make me concerned about getting vaccinated in the first round. I am under the impression that the technology has only been tested in short-term tests on humans.”
“I’m afraid of whether there are any long-term risks with using this new method. Without a global pandemic, I don’t think that mRNA vaccines would get approved for at least another five years of testing, if not more. I’m glad that there are people who are willing to take it. It will increase herd immunity and they will be great test subjects for this emerging technology.”
“I am currently due with baby 2 any day now and plan to breastfeed for a year. I definitely have concerns around getting the vaccine while nursing, but will adhere to the advice of the experts rather than fall victim to false information.”
“Not concerned as an adult. My teenagers will get the vaccine but not my child under 10. I’ll wait for more data before I make that decision.” — Patricia, Westborough
“My only concern is how long it will be before I can get it! I signed up but didn’t make it into any of the trials.” — Katie, Boston
“I’m concerned it won’t be distributed equitably.”
“None. It’s better than getting the virus. Long-term COVID-19 complications have not been determined and could be far reaching.”
“I have no concerns. As a healthcare professional, it’s my duty to set an example. The vaccine will get us out of this.”
“My concern is that I get a vaccine and still have to wear a mask and live in social-distance prison forever because bleeding hearts will be like, ‘OMG some people are still vulnerable, my mask protects you, your mask protects me!’ Barf.”
“I hate silly masks and I trust vaccines, so let’s get jabbed and get our lives back.”
“Since I am not a lab guinea pig or a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp, I will get the vaccine after 20 years have passed and it has shown no connections with any long-term disease or death.” — Hildegarde, Boston
Sometimes we ask our readers to tell us what they think. These results are based on some readers’ opinions and are not scientific.
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