What Pennsylvanians Think About The Coronavirus Vaccine: Survey

With the release of a coronavirus vaccine expected to begin this month in Pennsylvania, most of the more than 3,700 readers who took Patch's survey say they intend to get vaccinated against the disease, but some admitted they are wary or concerned about how quickly the vaccines were produced.

Just a year after the emergence of the coronavirus — which has since killed more than 1.5 million people worldwide and 287,000 in the U.S. — two vaccines are expected to become available in the United States this month.

Even though the coronavirus vaccine will be available in record time, thanks to the federal government's Operation Warp Speed program, it will take some time to roll out the doses to everyone who needs or wants them. Front-line workers and first responders will be among the first to receive the vaccination.

RELATED: Here Are Vaccine Wait Time Estimates In Pennsylvania

An overwhelming number of Pennsylvania Patch readers who responded to the survey — over 76 percent — say they believe in vaccination and try to stay up to date on their own shots, with a small minority (3.3 percent) saying they don't believe in vaccination at all. Another 11 percent said they believe in vaccination but don't always keep their own shots up to date, and 6.3 percent said they mistrust vaccination and generally avoid it.

Similarly, more than 80 percent of those who took Patch's survey said they already got a flu shot this year or intend to get one.

As for whether they intend to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, more than 59 percent of respondents said they will get a vaccine at the earliest opportunity.

Others were more cautious, with 23.3 percent saying they will get one, but only after it's been in use long enough to make sure it's safe and effective. Nearly 15 percent said they won't get one at all, and the remaining 2.7 percent of those who responded said they aren't sure.

Meanwhile, 55 percent of Patch readers were pleased with the way the government and researchers worked together as part of Operation Warp Speed to develop several vaccines against the virus, saying it is a "great example of how science and government can work together for the public good."

But more than 25 percent said they feel the project was rushed and that they're worried the safety of the vaccines may be compromised.

For perspective, it's been just about a year since the first cases of the coronavirus were detected in December 2019, as a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown origin were diagnosed in Wuhan, China. On Jan. 12, Chinese authorities noted a novel coronavirus termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Community spread of the coronavirus was first detected in the United States in February, and by mid-March, all 50 states had confirmed cases of the virus.

Fifty percent of readers who responded said the Trump administration's involvement in the project did not impact their confidence in the project.

But for 35 percent, the administration's involvement makes them less confident in the vaccines. For 15 percent, it made them more confident.

Patch readers were also given the opportunity to leave comments regarding their thoughts on the coronavirus vaccines in general. Many said they trust those behind the development of the vaccines and that they will get vaccinated regardless of which vaccine they receive, but some were skeptical.

"We all need to listen to the scientific experts and become vaccinated when it is possible," one respondent urged.

"If Dr. Fauci gives his approval and stands behind the efficacy of the vaccine I will get the vaccine," another said.

A respondent who said they spent their career overseeing clinical trials said "I am proud of all the clinical researchers who have spent countless hours/days/nights working on these developments. I’m looking forward to seeing the safety data and subgroup analyses. We will also learn so much about this virus from the blood analyses of the clinical trial participants-thank you for your contribution to science."

Another respondent said "right now it is our only hope. If the vaccines don’t work for the masses, then we are looking at a much different world."

Some remain skeptical, however.

"I am having trouble reconciling the rapidity with which this vaccine was 'developed.' I hope the speed is a result of built-upon research and testing vs a profit motive. I am suspicious of big pharma and their motives," one respondent said.

"I am almost 80 years old so I qualify for the vaccine. I am, however, concerned about potential side effects. I will most likely take the vaccine as soon as I can, but I would like to have a little more information," another said.

Note: Patch's survey on the coronavirus vaccine was not meant to be a scientific poll, with random sampling and margins of error, but meant only to gauge the sentiments of our readers in an informal way.

With reporting by Shannon Antinori of Patch