As COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expands, Interest Could Wane

An ongoing U.S. Census Bureau survey suggests that the expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to younger age groups may cause a decline in the desire to get immunized, reports the Wall Street Journal . The latest poll, conducted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics, surveyed nearly 80,000 adults between Feb. 3 and Feb. 15. In general, the number of Americans saying they will definitely get vaccinated has risen, but willingness among younger adults is still well below that of their older peers. Making respondents who say they will "probably" get shots into those who will "definitely" get inoculated is critical for achieving herd immunity, according to public health officials. Top reasons for respondents' reluctance to get vaccinated include concerns about possible side effects, while those who will probably get vaccinated are much less likely to cite mistrust as an issue, or a belief that the shot will not work or is unnecessary. They are more likely to say they want to wait and see, or that others are in greater need. Vaccine advocates hope that if these unvaccinated segments become convinced of the vaccine's safety — and that those who need it most have already gotten their shots — then they may become more inclined to get immunized.