Poll Shows COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Decreasing

Healthcare professionals say we'll reach herd immunity when 60 to 70% of the population is immune. That's going to require a lot of vaccination but some people are still hesitant to get in line. News 9's Tevis Hillis has details on what doctors say about polling.

Wednesday, March 10th 2021, 9:46 am

By: News 9

Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation has shown a positive interest in the coronavirus vaccine, which is encouraging to health officials.

"Overall, very positive. Vaccine hesitancy is decreasing. Vaccine confidence is increasing. We are looking at that as a total picture," said Dr. George Monks, the President of the Oklahoma State Medical Association.

Vaccine confidence is up 16% since December.

Health officials are concerned with a group of people who responded that they will only get the vaccine if required or will not get one at all.

But they're focusing awareness efforts on the hesitant group. Eighty percent of that group are most concerned about side effects.

"Some people will also get chills, headache, fatigue, nausea, just general side effects. Some worse than others, but they are very short-lived," said Stan Schwartz, the CEO of WellOK.

Click here for more information on the vaccine.