Nearly half of Americans eager for coronavirus vaccine, survey finds

Nearly half of Americans eager for coronavirus vaccine, survey finds Close to half of Americans say they are eager to get a coronavirus vaccine or have already gotten one, according to a January survey published Wednesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation. By Zahid Mahmood, <a href="/profiles/jessie-yeung">Jessie Yeung</a>, Adam Renton and Hannah Strange, CNN CNN

Close to half of Americans say they are eager to get a coronavirus vaccine or have already gotten one, according to a January survey published Wednesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The survey of more than 1,500 adults found that 41% want the vaccine and 6% have already gotten at least one dose. 

That’s considerably higher than the 34% reported in December, said KFF, which studies health policy.

In the new survey, 31% said they would like to wait and see how the vaccine works for others before they get one themselves. Some 7% will only get one if “required to do so for work, school or other activities,” while 13% said they would “definitely not” get it.

And of course, politics plays a role. 

The survey also looked into what might motivate people to take the vaccine.

Some 57% of those surveyed would be more likely to get vaccinated if told the vaccines are highly effective in preventing illness, and 54% said they would be more likely to get vaccinated if told it was the quickest way for life to return to normal.

Just under half, 46%, were impressed by hearing millions of people have been safely vaccinated, and 45% were motivated by being told we need people to be vaccinated to get the US economy back on track.