Most In MA Want The Vaccine, But Not Necessarily Soon: Survey

The majority of respondents in a Patch survey plan to get a COVID-19 virus vaccine, though not all are eager to get it as soon as it's available, and at least some of that trepidation appears to come from the Trump administration's involvement.

More than 2,800 people responded to the online survey last week. The survey is meant not to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

Most respondents are generally trusting of vaccines, with nearly 90 percent saying they believe in vaccination and most of those people saying they keep their own vaccinations up to date. That was about in line with the percentage of people who have gotten or plan to get their flu vaccine this year — about 81 percent.

Fifty-two percent of respondents said they intend to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it's available to them. Thirty-one percent said they intend to get the vaccine, but only after it's been in use long enough to further determine its safety and efficacy. Some 13 percent said they do not intend to get vaccinated.

"I will assume the vaccine is safe when Dr. [Anthony] Fauci takes it," one respondent said.

The vaccine is expected to arrive in Massachusetts on Dec. 15. It will first go front-line health care workers and high-risk seniors, and it isn't likely to be available to the general public until at least the spring.

More than half of respondents said they believe the historically quick development of the vaccines as part of Operation Warp Speed is a great example of the government and science working together, but 30 percent of respondents are concerned that safety may have been compromised in the rush to get it out.

"I believe that Pfizer and Moderna took the appropriate precautions to develop their vaccines in such a way that they will be safe and effective, but I would say 'in spite of' government involvement in Operation Warp Speed, rather than 'because of' government involvement," a respondent said.

Some of the concern may have to do with the Trump administration's involvement in the vaccine process. Almost 39 percent of respondents are less confident in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines given the administration's influence, while almost 14 percent said it makes them more confident.

"I am disgusted by Trump's actions and feel he is responsible for the way the virus has spread in the U.S," one respondent said.

Another felt otherwise: "If it wasn’t for President Trump we would be waiting a couple of more years for a vaccine."

People generally believe at least most schoolchildren should be vaccinated. Forty-two percent of people said vaccines should be required for all schoolchildren, while 38 percent said there should be some exceptions. Only about 20 percent of respondents said vaccinating schoolchildren should be solely at the parents' discretion.

"I believe in the marvelous power of freedom of choice," one respondent said. "However, I think it is very irresponsible and careless when parents do not allow and deny children the possibility to get vaccines that are made to prevent lethal or infectious diseases in them which can be passed on to other innocent people as well. Ignorance sometimes is the root of avoidable problems."

Massachusetts for the first time this year is requiring schoolchildren to receive a flu vaccination.