POLL: Would you be willing to have a COVID vaccine when they become available? - Page 2

An interesting one, Kim. Thanks for sharing this.

I’m definitely in the ‘no’ camp. They’re still coming up with new effects from contracting the virus, months down the line. Who knows what the long term effects of the vaccine might be ... could be worse than getting the virus itself.

On balance, for the moment, I feel safer wearing a mask, avoiding crowds and socialising outdoors as much as possible - which we are lucky enough to be able to do here.

Looking forward to reading everyone else’s comments. They’re all really interesting.

Yes

Yes 

Interestingly I read some months ago the results of a similar poll. At that time it was pretty much evenly split 30-35% each option. 

Another thing I find interesting is that the US CDC have monitored the flu vaccine since 2003 and they have found it to be between 10% (in 2004-5) and 60% in 2010/1 effective. The average being 40%. Based on those figures (assuming a similar level of effectiveness to the flu vaccine) and a current uptake of 57% in Kim’s poll, it’s possible that as little as 6% of the population could be effectively vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Hopefully it will be closer to the most effective year and 34% will be protected.

I suspect that the current 57% uptake is a little unrepresentative of the overall population though. Forum voters average age will probably be disproportionately older and more likely to want a vaccine than the younger generation. So nationwide I suspect less than 57% will be planning on having the vaccine, and consequently even less people will therefore be vaccinated effectively. On that basis we will be living with Covid-19 for the foreseeable future.

From a personal view point I plan to have the vaccination the same way I have the flu vaccination every year. I will also also continue to regularly wash hands, social distance, etc after vaccination.

Yes, in a heartbeat. I've been having flu jabs for 25 years. Never had any ill effects. 

I would happily go on with my life right now, but my government has locked me up on the basis it's to protect other people, so my attitude will be that once a vacinne is available to vulnerable people then there is no longer ANY excuse for this affront to civil liberties. I don't think it's relevant whether people have it or not.

I wouldn't have it.

But of course if those experts decree that I have to have it to resume normality, I'll be front of the queue. No doubt they will produce some dodgy graphs full of lies to say why we have to have it.

Hi Kim

Unfortunately I'm in the "no" camp. This is merely due to the fact of not knowing what they are actually putting into your body in the "hope" because that's all it is a hope that it might do some good.

I am however very grateful to all the people who are prepared to go forward with the trials that could potentially help us all in the future. Very brave indeed.

Hi Kim. Many thanks for the link and to Aitch for the WHO link, also very informative. I voted ‘undecided’ as over here in the UK I haven’t yet seen much information on the vaccine to make an informed choice, otherwise I would be happy to give it a go, as I am in the high risk group and Bex is in the extremely high risk group, 

Stay safe everyone. Jackie

Hi Jackie (and Bex),

I think, to begin with at least, a Covid-19 vaccine is likely to be reserved for those in the higher risk categories anyway and I'm happy to be at the back of the queue until I decide whether it's something I would want to have when it becomes available in volume.

About a month ago, Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, asked the population to take up the 'flu vaccine, in an effort to reduce the number of hospital admissions at a time that could coincide with a potential peak in Covid-19 cases, so as not to overload the healthcare system.  My husband and I tried to be a good citizens, but because we're 62 and 59 respectively we don't qualify for the 'flu vaccine under the State health system.  No problem, we were happy to pay for it privately (we have private health insurance anyway), but when I tried to order it from our local pharmacy, they said it wasn't being provided to the private sector at all.  I'm anticipating that they'll take the same stance with any Covid-19 vaccine when/if it becomes available, so it may be quite some time before I need to make a decision about whether I want it anyway!  ;o)

Take care,

Kim

I would not want this vaccination as it seems too hurried and the long term effects still to become known.  That said I travel extensively worldwide and it may well become compulsory in the same way as yellow fever  and cholera and typhoid used to be.  Then I would probably reluctantly have it.