HEALTH

Deseret News poll: Only half of Utahns would take COVID-19 vaccine

Sep 16, 2020, 7:13 PM

covid-19 vaccine approval coronavirus search for cure...

SALT LAKE CITY – When a vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available, will you get it? A new poll from the Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics shows almost a quarter of Utahns would decline the vaccine, while another quarter isn’t so sure.

Unsure about the COVID-19 vaccine 

Melanie Hill from Lehi is one of the 23% of participants who answered. She says she isn’t sure her family would get the vaccine when it becomes available, and several factors contribute to her uncertainty.

Hill tells KSL she has auto-immune issues, which already causes her body to have nasty reactions to flu vaccines. However, even if she didn’t have those health concerns, she still doesn’t know if she would get a COVID-19 vaccine right away.

“I grew up always getting a flu shot. I got flu shots for years. It’s not so much that I’m morally against vaccines or anything like that,” Hill explained. “But just because it is new, I would still be pretty unsure.”

Plus, she has another reason to doubt the vaccine. 

“With how politicized the whole pandemic has become, it’s hard for me to trust anything at this point,” Hill said.

No COVID-19 vaccine 

Another 24% answered they wouldn’t get vaccinated. The Deseret News reports some people just don’t trust a virus when it’s this new. Others say the process feels rushed. 

One BYU professor says people are generally afraid of new things, and that many are already “riding the wave of anti-vaccine sentiment.” However, given more time, more people are expected to come around and consider getting the vaccine.

A BYU poll shows 68% of Americans would get the vaccine in the next 30 days, while 73% would get it within six months.

Salt Lake County Health Department Executive Director, Gary Edwards, states he is constantly speaking with officials at the CDC to track the progress of the vaccine. 

The drugmaker AstraZeneca had to halt its study after one of their test subjects reportedly had a serious illness, but that trial has since resumed.

However, Edwards says the fact that some vaccines are in the third phase of testing is a promising sign.

“They’ve proven to be somewhat safe and somewhat effective going into phase three,” said Edwards. 

Even after the vaccine is given to the public, the study into its effectiveness will still continue. 

“We probably still won’t know the effectiveness until, maybe, next summer, after we go through with a number of people that have been vaccinated,” Edwards said.

The Deseret News reports between 40 and 45% of Utahns receive a flu shot each year, and the Utah Department of Health is hoping to see it reach 60% in 2020.

 

RELATED LINKS

Utah COVID-19 cases spike by 747 in a single day, infection rate hits 11%

Report: ‘Poor’ state communication clouded Utah’s no-bid COVID-19 tech contracts

Jordan School District to address COVID-19 at Riverton High

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Health

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

(Canva)...

Michelle Lee

How, and why, a hobby can bring joy to your life

If it brings you pleasure, is meaningful, and you can do it regularly, you've got yourself a hobby! Here's why they can benefit us so much.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Utah clinics winning the fight against overprescribed antibiotics

Intermountain Health and the University of Utah found that urgent-care facilities were more likely to prescribe antibiotics as a quick, easy solution.

11 months ago

Utah Food Bank...

Allessandra Harris

Utah Food Bank aims to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ this summer

The Utah Food Bank is joining forces with the Letter Carriers Union to collect non-perishable food items for those in need.

11 months ago

...

LEANNE ITALIE AP Entertainment Writer

Mommy blogger Heather Armstrong, known as Dooce to fans, dead at 47

Armstrong had laid bare her struggles as a mother and her battles with depression and alcoholism on her site, Dooce.com, and on social media since 2001.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Deseret News poll: Only half of Utahns would take COVID-19 vaccine