Reid Newspapers recently conducted a survey asking readers about the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine, set to be distributed in late December.
The survey first asked readers, “Will you take the COVID-19 vaccine if/ when it is available to you?” Fifty-one percent of people who took the survey voted “No” and 49 percent of people voted “Yes.”
Some of the responses included, “It’s a viral infection and viruses must run their course. How many people have taken flu shots thinking it’s a vaccine and still get the flu?”
“Hospitals are at capacity and I want to help stop the spread of this virus. I do not want daily life to have to shut back down.”
“Don’t trust it without more testing.” “Because I am a frontline worker and will probably be forced to.”
“I will likely take it within a year, especially if COVID-19 testing or proof of vaccine is going to be required for travel outside United States.”
“I don’t feel comfortable with a vaccine with such limited testing.”
“This was put into production too quickly without enough testing and tracking of recipients. What are the long term effects if any? Is this a yearly vaccine? Any adverse side-effects? I have more questions than they have answers at this point.”
“Worked in confinement livestock operations and have seen the effectiveness of vaccines during outbreaks and what happens when vaccines are skipped, tremendous difference in mortality rate. Also the risk of severe side effects are small where the risk of gambling with COVID-19 and recovery not so much.”
“I am young and relatively low risk for complications. Even though I’m a student in a health care field, I would prefer to give up my spot to others who are at higher risk for complications.”
“I believe it will be safe and it is the best chance we have of beating COVID-19. I want to do my part to help with that.”
“Because the science backing modern-day vaccines effectiveness as a viable defense against viruses’ is overwhelming. Any notion to the contrary is not grounded in reality. It also means our society can get on with some sense of normalcy after it is distributed and widely accepted by the populous.”
The second question asked, “Is your decision dependent on the cost of the vaccine?”
Ninety-two percent of the people who took the survey voted “No” and 8 percent of the people voted “Yes.”
A third question asked was “Based on the state’s preliminary plan, do you have any thoughts regarding the grouping of vaccine recipients?
The Oklahoma State Department of Health sent a preliminary distribution plan to the federal government. The four-phase plan prioritizes the vaccines among several groups. Note these plans are preliminary and are not final.
Group 1 in includes frontline health workers, nursing home residents and nursing home staff.
Group 2 includes other health care workers, prison/jail/factory populations, first responders, and support staff/government officials.
Group 3 includes essential business/ industry workers and students/education workers.
Group 4 includes all remaining Oklahomans.
Some of the responses about the state’s plan included, “I don’t understand why prisoners will get the vaccine before teachers.”
“Even though I will not be getting the vaccine, it is ridiculous felons and murderers will be able to get before essential workers, teachers, and students.”
“No, I agree with the grouping of who can get it first.”
“If our true mission is to stop the spread, there shouldn’t be any grouping at all. Whoever wants it and is willing to get it should have just as much access as anyone else.”
“I believe they have it as close to right as they can. It is really an impossible feat to determine who is most critical.”
“If we are going to have our public schools open to staff and students, I think school staff should be advanced higher in the grouping. Teachers, administrators, and all support staff should be considered essential workers, as long as the administration of the district requires them to do in person learning.”
“I feel those who are in the midst of this fight should be given every avenue of protection possible. The nurses, doctors and others who are in the hospitals everyday fighting to help people survive deserve the vaccine first. Lawmakers should be made to wait until it’s available for the masses.”