Nearly one-fifth of senior citizens in the US say they never plan to get coronavirus vaccines once they are approved, a new poll finds.
The survey revealed that 85 percent of elderly Americans plan to be immunized against, with half saying within a month of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization.
However, 15 percent of respondents said they don’t plan on receiving the jab, with most citing concerns about potential side effects.
The team says the findings provide more evidence that public health experts and doctors need to educate seniors about vaccinations, especially because this group is among the highest at risk for severe disease and death from COVID-19/
A new poll reveals 85% of US senior citizens plan to get a coronavirus vaccine when one is approved (file image)
Nearly half plan to receive the jab within one month after it becomes available but about one-third plan to wait at least three months and 15% saying they never plan to
For the survey, Tivity Health partnered up with SilverSneakers, a fitness program designed for adults above age 65.
Participants were recruited from a list of SilverSneakers newsletter subscribers, with nearly 4,000 completing the survey between November 11 and November 16.
They were asked questions about the coronavirus vaccine including their willingness to receive it, perceived safety and price and their trusted sources of information.
The survey found the 85 percent of all respondents said they plan to get the vaccine at some point.
Nearly half of the seniors said they going to receive the jab within one month after it becomes available.
This is important because the elderly are a high-risk group who are more likely to experience severe infection or death from COVID-19.
However, about one in three older adults are hesitant of the immunization and would prefer to wait at least three months.
About 15 percent of all respondents say they have no current plan to take an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Most of them, 84 percent, said the weren’t doing so because they were concerned about side effects.
About 65 percent of seniors said they are confident that the research and development process will lead to a safe and effective vaccine.
About 62% of seniors said they will have to pay, with the majority believing the cost will be anywhere between $20 and $50
Older adults also said they feel most comfortable getting the vaccine at their doctor’s office (84%) or at their pharmacy (60%)
However, only 39 percent believe they will have ‘quick and easy access’ to the coronavirus vaccine and just 38 percent believe enough people will be vaccinated to stop the disease’s spread.
Meanwhile, 62 percent of seniors said they will have to pay, with most believing the cost will be anywhere between $20 and $50.
Older adults also said they feel most comfortable getting the vaccine at their doctor’s office (84 percent) or at their pharmacy (60 percent).
Less than five percent said they wanted to be immunized at work through their employer or at a senior living facility.
‘Throughout the pandemic, we have engaged our members to better understand their needs and challenges, understanding that seniors are at a higher risk if they contract the virus,’ said Richard Ashworth, president and CEO of Tivity Health, in a statement.
‘Now that we are seeing momentum toward a vaccine, all organizations who serve seniors in the public and private sectors need to consider how we can support awareness, education, distribution and adoption.
‘We serve 16 million eligible SilverSneakers members, and we want them to be as safe and healthy as possible, including getting a COVID-19 vaccine when it is approved and available.’
Source: Daily Mail
