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Scientists worry whether COVID-19 vaccine will make a difference as roughly half of Americans say they won’t take one amid fears a shot is just part of an ‘ineffective PR facade’

  • ‘Operation Warp Speed’ aims to deliver 300 million doses of a vaccine to Americans by January 2021
  • Hundreds of vaccines are in the pre-clinical testing phase, but only four are currently in Phase 3 clinical trials and some of them have run into problems
  • More than half of Americans in a recent poll say they won’t get a shot
  • High-profile personalities such as Elon Musk have also said they will not be taking the vaccine 
  • It has fed the growth of the anti-vaxxer movement with many deciding not to take the jab along political party lines 
  • Scientists worry that if fewer than 70 percent of the population receive the injection, herd immunity will not be reached and its effectiveness will be lost

 James Gordon – Daily Mail Oct 18, 2020

Bill Gates, Co-Chair the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation shows a vaccine during the press conference. Click to enlarge

Scientists in the U.S. are concerned that the battle to control the coronavirus has become so politicized that many people may decide not to take a vaccine when one becomes available.

Several different companies are working to develop injections with the government having provided $10 billion of investment as part of ‘Operation Warp Speed’ which aims to deliver 300 million doses of a vaccine to Americans by January 2021.

But such is the current mistrust of politicians and even the worry that any such ‘cure’ may be being rushed, that it could lead to greater numbers deciding not to get the jab at all.

A Pew Research poll conducted last month found about half of US adults (51 percent) wouldn’t get a COVID-19 vaccine should one be available today. In May the figure was 72 percent.

Misinformation about the effects of a vaccine and the original causes behind the coronavirus pandemic have also contributed to the overall uncertainty.

Adding to the worry, two major drug manufacturers halted their vaccine trials because of safety concerns.

There are hundreds of vaccines in a pre-clinical testing phase, but only four — those run by Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca — are currently in Phase 3 clinical trials.

In August, more than a third of Americans said they would not get a vaccine against coronavirus even if it were to be free and approved by the FDA.

Sixty-five per cent of survey respondents say they would accept the offer and get themselves vaccinated while 35% said they would not.

Those who who say they would not be happy to get the injection also runs roughly along party political lines with less than half of Republicans (47%) saying they would take the jab but with 81% of Democrats ready to line up to be inoculated, according to the poll by Gallup.

‘As the situation stands today, the nation’s influencers — including health professionals, policymakers and leaders — who see a vaccine as a way forward may have their work cut out for them in persuading Americans to take advantage of such an option,’ Gallup said in a post announcing the findings.

‘Policymakers in government, healthcare, industry and education will need to anticipate that a significant proportion of the population will be hesitant to get a vaccine, even at no cost,’ the group said.

Some high profile voices are also expressing doubts over whether they would take the jab.

In September, Elon Musk revealed he would not get a coronavirus vaccine when available because he’s ‘not at risk’.

The Tesla and SpaceX founder said in a New York Times’ podcast that even when vaccines are readily accessible, he won’t take one.

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