"Didn't Want to Get Vaccinated Even When Available, Now Want to Get It"…Changed US Public Opinion

Positive Shift in Public Opinion on Vaccines
Urgency of Vaccination and Persuasion Efforts by Political and Scientific Communities
Concerns About Vaccines Persist According to Ideology, Region, and Race

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 26th (local time) that doubts about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine in the United States are rapidly disappearing. Initially, there were significant concerns that people might avoid vaccination even after the vaccine development was completed, but these concerns have vanished as actual vaccinations have taken place.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

With the vaccine developed at lightning speed, many people in the U.S. claimed that the vaccine was a scam by major manufacturers or a conspiracy by President Donald Trump, who was focused on re-election. However, after vaccinations began, citizens' views on the vaccine changed. Recent polls show a significant increase in the number of people willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Although there are differences among polls, respondents willing to be vaccinated this summer were about 50% overall, but this has now risen to over 60%. In some polls, 73% of respondents expressed a desire to be vaccinated. Experts have stated that if actual vaccinations reach this level, herd immunity could be achieved.

The NYT suggested that the reality of 200,000 new daily cases and 3,000 deaths in the U.S. has greatly influenced the change in public opinion. Moreover, the awareness of spending a Christmas unlike previous years is likely changing people's thoughts about the vaccine.

Rupali Limaye, a vaccine expert at Johns Hopkins University, explained, "The more people realize that they are infected with COVID-19 or that their lives are affected, the more they understand that someone could become seriously ill or even lose their life." She added, "People are now tired and hope to return to normal life."

Additionally, scientists and politicians personally showing their vaccination scenes have positively influenced perception changes. The cheers of healthcare workers after receiving the vaccine have all contributed to changing citizens' views on the vaccine.

It is also noteworthy that belief in the fair distribution of the vaccine has increased. In a survey conducted in September, only 52% of respondents believed that the COVID-19 vaccine would be distributed fairly. However, now more than two-thirds of the public believe the vaccine will be distributed fairly.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Despite the change in perception, distrust of the vaccine still remains along racial and gender lines. For example, according to a Pew Research poll, 42% of Black people expressed willingness to be vaccinated. Considering that 32% had expressed willingness in previous polls, perception has improved but still shows there is a long way to go. Views on vaccination also differed depending on political party affiliation. For instance, Republican supporters tend to hesitate more about vaccination compared to Democrats.

Experts are concerned about this situation. They warn that if vaccination becomes a political issue, it may not lead to herd immunity.

Another notable phenomenon is that the willingness to be vaccinated is lower in rural areas away from urban centers. This partly reflects the fact that Republican supporters, who are relatively less willing to be vaccinated, tend to live in rural areas. Additionally, lower education levels have been pointed out as a factor contributing to a lack of basic knowledge about vaccines. The need to travel long distances for vaccination may also have increased resistance to the vaccine.

However, the change in public opinion should not be taken for granted. Although willingness to be vaccinated is increasing, misinformation and warnings against the vaccine are also growing. The advisory panel of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that as the number of people willing to get vaccinated rises, so too does the volume of criticism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.