More Americans express enthusiasm for COVID-19 vaccine
More Americans express enthusiasm for COVID-19 vaccine
The U.S. vaccination campaign is being challenged by the pause in use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pending the investigation of rare but severe blood clots.
In the two months prior to this setback, however, vaccination has accelerated dramatically across the country; Fewer people are now expressing hesitation or opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that the share of Americans who want a COVID-19 shot right away, or have already been vaccinated, has nearly doubled to over 60% since December.
Different groups continue to feel differently about the vaccine, though, and Black Americans are reportedly less enthusiastic about vaccination than white and Latinx counterparts. Kaiser Family Foundation researcher Ashley Kirzinger said that reflects a lack of information and access. Kirzinger cited a recent survey of rural Americans that found Black adults were “less likely to say they have enough information about where to get vaccinated, when they’re eligible, and reported having to travel further.”
In Kansas City, Missouri, the Rev. Eric Williams of Calvary Temple Baptist Church has been promoting COVID-19 education in the Black community there. He said vaccination is picking up. “Places that we could beef up are with the elderly and more door-to-door campaigns,” Williams said. According to APM Research Lab data, 13.5% of Black Missourians have been vaccinated, compared to 22.7% of the state’s white residents.
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