Poll: 21 percent of Texans wouldn’t take a COVID-19 vaccine if one becomes available

If a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, 21 percent of Texans said they wouldn’t take it, according to a study released in June by the Texas Politics Project.

Another 20 percent said they were unsure if they would get vaccinated while another 59 percent said they would, the study found.

“These results show that the hurdles we face when it comes to combating the coronavirus go well beyond simply discovering a vaccine,” said Joshua Blank, the research director at Texas Politics Project.

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Resistance to efforts designed to combat the virus — such as individual’s not wanting to wear a mask and unwilling to receive a vaccine — illustrate the consequences of a fractured response to the coronavirus, Blank said.

Blank credited the number of those undecided about a vaccine to the uncertainty surrounding the virus, though he believes most would ultimately opt for the vaccine.

“As more information becomes available, some share of these people will move toward greater comfort with a vaccine. Others will simply deny the need for it, either personally or due to a perceived overreaction to the pandemic,” Blank said.

The research shows differing opinions across party lines. Fifty percent of Republicans say they would welcome a vaccine compared to 73 percent of Democrats, which Blank attributes to a differing in perception of the coronavirus.

READ ALSO: Poll: Texans less concerned about coronavirus than at the start of the pandemic even as cases rise

A Texas Politics Project study also released in June found that individuals in the Lone Star State were becoming less concerned about the coronavirus.

The study, done between June 19 and June 29, found that only 47 percent said they were extremely or very concerned about community spread of the virus, a 7 percent drop from April, when 54 percent of Texans said they had heightened concerns. In June, 26 percent of people were somewhat concerned and another 26 percent were either not very or not at all concerned.

Similarly to those who don’t want to take a vaccine, Blank said some are less concerned about the virus because of personal perception. Health and lifestyles also play a factor in the knowledge and concern about the virus.

Once a vaccination is required to participate in different aspects of family, social and economic life, researchers believe the willingness to get one will increase.

Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @TaylorPettaway