ICF Research: About 30% of Americans Ready to Take Coronavirus Vaccine

• About 30% of Americans are willing to take COVID-19 vaccine.
• Roughly 60% of Americans think they would contract COVID-19.
• More than half of Americans would take a vaccine if required by employers.
• 46% of Americans still believe in vaccination.
• The Democrats with 81% tops as to get the vaccine compared to its counterparts.

Since the COVID-19 has become fatal, scientists and chemists rushed to find a vaccine: the only regarded ultimate solution.

Scientists are confident in their capability to develop a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine. However for a vaccine to be effective it must be taken by the greater public. Do you think people will want to take the vaccine once available? Surveys say people would be hesitant to take the shot.

In this article, we present the findings of the ICF COVID-19 Monitor Survey of US Adults, a survey conducted to gain American’s perception toward a coronavirus vaccine. Published in August 2020, the research included 1000 additional respondents as part of the fifth wave of data collection fielded from July 23 to 28.

In the latter part, compared to another study, we will also present Gallup’s COVID-19 tracking survey results published on August 7. Interestingly, Gallup has shown a unique angle between US party preferences and Americans’ views on COVID-19 and their willingness to be vaccinated.

1. About 30% of Americans are willing to take COVID-19 vaccine

Less than a third of American adults (31%) in July said that they would be “very likely” to get the coronavirus vaccine as soon as an FDA-approved one becomes available. While another 31% said that they would be “somewhat likely.”

When compared to the 3rd wave fielded last May 2020, the gap in numbers is not so significant, and results remain at an estimated 30%. Interestingly, a 1% increase monthly has been evident, showing an intensifying hesitation in taking the vaccine from May to July.

2. Roughly 60% of Americans think they would contract COVID-19

In June survey, when respondents were asked the perceived likelihood of contracting the coronavirus to be more than half at 59% thinks they would “very likely” get the virus. As per the ICF researchers, the majority of 62% who said “not too likely” to get the virus is still very or somewhat likely to get the vaccine.

From the 62% of the somehow optimists to 73% and 87% of respondents who answered “somewhat likely” and “very likely,” respectively, it shows that a huge disparity that concludes most Americans believe they are susceptible to getting sick with the virus.

3. More than half of Americans would take a vaccine if required by employers

ICF survey makers presented this question to understand better the reason and relativity of the hesitation in getting the vaccine shot. The respondents rated their attitude in taking the vaccine given the three scenarios: if the vaccine were free, if there were no side effects or other problems within six months, or if there were a second wave of coronavirus.

In June,  55% of Americans would be glad to receive the vaccine if there were no side effects or other problems after six months of its distribution. It was closely followed by the scenario when there will arise the second wave of coronavirus.

However, in July, 58% of Americans would take the vaccine if it was a compulsory requirement by their employer. This number only revealed that people’s value of their employment strongly relates to their willingness to take the vaccine shot.

It is also clear that the given scenarios profoundly affected the respondent’s answers — resulting in a 20% increase in all levels of willingness to be vaccinated. A proportion of adults indicate that they would be somewhat willing to be vaccinated and recorded a significant 72% increase.

4. 46% of Americans still believe in vaccination

The topic of vaccines is priced high in the United States, with strong proponents and detractors. ICF researchers believe that the attitudes toward anti-vaxxers, an opposing group to vaccination, are related to the likelihood of getting a vaccine within six months.

In their goal to measure the attitude toward vaccination, ICF asked respondents to rate how much they agree with anti-vaxxers. In July, 30% of respondents who have agreed more than disagree with the anti-vaxxers are very or somewhat likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine shot for as soon it is available.

While 52% of respondents who disagree more than agree and 78% of those who strongly disagree with the anti-vaxxers. Interestingly, based on the results, 61% of Americans who strongly agree with anti-vaxxers are very or somewhat likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine shot.

5. Americans still hold high confidence in scientists

During the third wave in May, ICF research found that the American population still has high confidence in scientists. Though public faith in the state, local government, and even healthcare authorities has fallen. More than the federal government, Americans are more likely to trust public health experts, healthcare professionals, and scientists than the federal, state, or local governments.

In fact, 50% of Americans stated they have a great deal of confidence in scientists working on coronavirus vaccines. In line with this trust, researchers closely associated the trust in medical experts.

Specific Perception Towards Vaccination

In order to better understand the specific perception that affects Americans’ willingness to take the vaccine shot, the ICF introduced 11 vaccine attitude questions on their June survey. Listed on the table below are the attitudes to which the respondents must rate the level of their agreement.

By far and large, the majority of adults showed positive attitudes toward vaccines. Based on the results, a corresponding percentage of Americans proclaimed: 82% say vaccines are beneficial, 81% say vaccines are important to their health, and 80% say being vaccinated is important to the health of the others in the community. More importantly, 76% of Americans—three quarters—agree that vaccines are very safe.

At the same time, a substantial segment of the public also holds attitudes that may produce reluctance to try new vaccines. A majority (50%) agree that some vaccines have ingredients that may be harmful. More than a third (35%) feel that some vaccines are linked to long-term health problems.

US Political Party Plays A Role in COVID-19 Sentiment

Gallup, another research institution, has also dedicated its resources in the COVID-19 tracking survey to monitor American’s sentiment toward recent coronavirus as a whole. Referring to their research done from July 20 to August 2 in Gallup’s COVID-19 tracking survey, the new poll extends that to a willingness to be vaccinated.

While Gallup has consistently seen that political party preferences play a strong role in Americans’ views on COVID-19, 81% of Democrats are willing to be vaccinated today if free and FDA-approved vaccines are already out. On the other hand, 59% are independents and just under half are Republicans, 47%. They also showed that gender did not reveal any significance, as 65% of both men and women positively answered “yes” to take the coronavirus vaccine at no cost once it is made available to them.