The developments surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine have stirred a lot of emotions in recent days.
An overwhelming sense of optimism has blanketed the country, but many have also felt skepticism.
Last week, Pfizer rolled out its opening round of vaccine shipments nationwide. The first batch for Bartholomew County arrived on Dec. 17 at Columbus Regional Hospital, starting the process of inoculating those tabbed for the first phase of vaccine distribution.
While it will take months until the general public has access to the vaccine, a significant number of people currently say they have no plans to take it at any point in time.
In a recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 15% of the public responded that they "definitely would not" take the vaccine if they could get it. Additionally, 27% of those polled said that they "probably would not" take it if they had the chance.
Conversely, 71% claimed they would "probably or definitely" get the vaccine once it becomes available.
Those numbers will likely change over the coming weeks, as more and more individuals get the injection.
Health experts have predicted that it will take 75 to 85% of Americans vaccinated to have a form of herd immunity in the United States, which could be accomplished by the end of 2021.
But first responders aren’t the only ones showing their confidence in the science behind the injections.
Vice President Mike Pence, the head of the White House coronavrius task force, his wife, Karen, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams all took the vaccine Dec. 18 in Washington, D.C.
On Monday, President-elect Joe Biden did the same.
Additionally, former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have also said they will take the vaccine on camera in an effort to build public trust in the vaccine.
The actions by our current and future leaders is a critical moment in the fight against the virus. By taking the vaccine on camera, it shows extreme confidence in the science that will help get the pandemic under control.
Moving forward, it will continue to be important for local, state, and national leaders to continue to support vaccine efforts, as some will need to be persuaded that it’s not just for their own health, but for their communities.
