SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- A new poll shows many San Diegans would “definitely” or “probably” get a COVID-19 vaccine if it were available to them at little or no cost.
An ABC 10News/San Diego Union-Tribune scientific poll recently asked 500 San Diego adults about their thoughts on a potential coronavirus vaccine, including who should get a vaccine first and their feelings towards vaccinations in general.
Among the questions participants were asked: “A vaccine for the Coronavirus may soon be available to the public. If clinical trials go well, and a vaccine is available to you that is either free or costs just a few dollars, would you definitely get the vaccine? Probably get the vaccine? Probably not get the vaccine? Or definitely not get the vaccine?”
The poll shows 38% of San Diegans would definitely get the vaccine; 32% would probably get the vaccine; 12% would probably not get it; 10% would definitely not get it; 8% are not sure.
The release of the poll comes on the same day biotech company Moderna announced its COVID-19 vaccine candidate is 94.5% effective.
The company’s chief medical officer, Dr. Tal Zaks, called the news one of the greatest moments of his life, adding, “It is absolutely amazing to me to be able to develop this vaccine and see the ability to prevent symptomatic disease with such high efficacy."
Moderna reported no major side effects, and that unlike Pfizer’s vaccine announcement last week, Moderna’s vaccine does not require extreme refrigeration temperatures -- something many experts agreed would be a significant advantage for distribution.
The federal government has said the coronavirus vaccine would be free, and some experts have suggested that with the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization -- which both companies are expected to apply for in the next few weeks -- there could be enough doses manufactured to immunize 20 million people by early next year.
Other poll questions that San Diegans were asked:
