While
scientists across the globe are racing to create a viable COVID-19 vaccine, the
number of vaccine skeptics through the Hudson Valley and New York State that have
reservations about vaccinations in general may undermine its
effectiveness.
In a recent US News and World Report, whether a vaccine can end this pandemic successfully depends on
more than its effectiveness or how quickly it can be produced. It depends on the number of people who opt to
get it.
According
to some estimates, about one-fifth to two-fifths of Americans
express reservations about vaccine safety.
“An
estimated 50% to 70% of Americans would need to develop immunity to COVID-19 –
either naturally, or via a vaccine – in order to thwart the spread of the virus,”
according to the US News and World report. “If these estimates are correct, that could
mean that nearly twice as many Americans would need to elect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine than those who currently opt to be vaccinated against seasonal
influenza.”
Making
matters more complicated is the possibility that people who hold skeptical
views about vaccine safety – sometimes referred to as "anti-vaxxers"
– will opt out of receiving the coronavirus vaccine. According to some
estimates, about one-fifth to two-fifths of Americans express reservations about vaccine safety. If
most of these individuals opt not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, they could
potentially jeopardize the recovery process.
The
report continues to say that “A quarter of Americans say they will probably not
get a coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available – even if it is deemed safe
and effective, according to a May 2020 poll by ABC News/Ipsos. They found that
25% of adults were either “not so likely” or “not likely at all’” to be
inoculated against the coronavirus, while 74% indicated they were either
somewhat or very likely to get a vaccine when it comes out.
Other articles by HVP News Reporters