As vaccinations for COVID-19 become more and more available, more Americans are willing to get vaccinated. The reasons for this change of heart could be coming from a variety of reasons – those who had initially been hesitant can see that people who’ve gotten their vaccine are doing fine. Or it could simply be because there’s finally a consistent, positive message from the top down.
Whatever the reason, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, 54% of respondents are now “very interested” in getting vaccinated. That’s up from 38% from a similar poll done in May 2020 (before the vaccine had been developed) and 41% from when it was done this past January. Interest has gone up for both white and non-white people, and 27% of people in total are still not interested in getting vaccinated (which is roughly the same as May 2020).
The poll was done online last week, throughout the United States. 1,005 people were surveyed.
Even more interesting of how many more people are willing to get vaccinated are the potential trends of the “haves” and “have nots” in terms of those who have gotten the vaccine:
- 72% of Americans polled said it was important to know, “if the people around me have been vaccinated”
- 61% of Americans wanted to work for an employer “who requires everyone to get a coronavirus vaccine before returning to the office”
- 56% of those polled thought that unvaccinated workers should stay home
- 55% felt that unvaccinated people shouldn’t work out at public gyms, enter movie theaters or attend public concerts
However, this should be the thing of most interest to travel geeks:
- 63% said that those who haven’t been vaccinated shouldn’t be allowed to travel on airplanes
Meanwhile, major airline trade organizations, airline labor unions and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have recently asked the Biden administration to take the lead in developing credentials so travelers could show they’ve been tested and vaccinated for the virus.
There are already several groups worldwide that are developing vaccine passports, but airlines are concerned that several small credentials will cause confusion.
“It is crucial to establish uniform guidance” and “the U.S. must be a leader in this development,” more than two dozen groups said in a letter Monday to White House coronavirus-response coordinator Jeff Zients.
Of course, the motive of these groups is so people are more apt to fly. Yet at the same time, the groups said that vaccination should not be a requirement for domestic or international travel. So there ya go.
Meanwhile, the CDC is still recommending that Americans not travel by plane.
“Every time that there is a surge in travel, we have a surge in cases in this country,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
Give it a month, or maybe two, and everyone’s thoughts will be different ;-).
Feature Photo: Kathy / flickr
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
3 comments
I think ultimately it will come to that, with medical exemptions of course.
Right now with the vaccines being only under EUA and not full FDA authorization, it would be difficult/unconstitutional to compel people to take it with the threat of limiting their free passage.
Also, vaccine hesitance is moot for as long as there is a shortage of the shots to go around. If someone refuses it, there’s always gonna be someone else in line to take it.
I agree with Glenn. I attended a law seminar a few weeks ago and was told legally it cannot be made mandatory until it is FDA approved OR the FDA comes back and states it can be mandatory under an EUA. That hasn’t stopped some employers from making it mandatory but that has also created a bunch of lawsuits. Under current law the corporations will lose since the vaccine isn’t approved.
My question is if they require vaccines are they going to ban children? The vaccine isn’t available for those under 16 years old. I just think it is a little premature to think about these measures. There isn’t enough known about the vaccine to think it will stop the spread.
I understand your point but this was just a survey of 1,000 or so Americans; just John & Jane Q. Public people expressing their opinions. What people say they want, and what actually happens, can often be two entirely different things 😉