This demographic is less likely to be vaccinated, CDC says

Two new studies conducted by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that younger Americans are less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19 compared to their elders.

The CDC conducted a survey of the number of people who had been vaccinated by May 22 of this year. Of the responders, 58% of adults in the United States had received at least one injection. 80% of these statistics were 65 years or older, 18 to 29 year olds only 38%.

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Photo by Sinitta Leunen via Unsplash

Although it can be argued that younger Americans had access to vaccines later and could explain these numbers, as the pandemic progressed and vaccination restrictions eased, younger people have been slow and reluctant to get their vaccinations.

Young men who live in rural areas and people who live in rural counties and low-income locations are more likely to lag behind in vaccination rates.

After further investigation, the CDC conducted a national survey of over 2,000 people between the ages of 19 and 39. Those who said they likely or definitely not to get the vaccine said they didn’t trust it. Others said they were afraid of possible side effects or thought they didn’t need the injection.

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While it is sobering to learn that many young people remain afraid or uninterested in a vaccine that has reduced the spread of the virus and the progression of the pandemic, the study asked what might motivate them to get their vaccine. Up to 40% of participants who weren’t sure said they would be more open to the syringe if they had more information about its effectiveness and safety.