(Network Indiana) — Now that the coronavirus vaccine is here, the next question is how many people will take it.
A week before the first vaccine was approved, a Gallup poll found 37-percent of Americans say they won’t take it. Distrust is especially high among minorities.
I-U Health senior vice president Tory Castor says the hospital network isn’t requiring its own employees to get vaccinated, and won’t browbeat patients into it. But she says I-U is trying to serve as a reliable source to help people understand the fast-changing information about the virus and the vaccine.
House Public Health Chairman Brad Barrett (R-Richmond), a retired surgeon, says the fact doctors and nurses are first in line may give others confidence in the vaccine by the time it’s more widely available.
President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Vice President Pence and three of the four living former presidents plan to get vaccinated publicly to build confidence in the vaccine. Pence and his wife Karen will do so publicly on Friday with Surgeon General Jerome Adams. Governor Holcomb has said he’ll get vaccinated as well, but won’t “cut the line.” Indiana Hospital Association president Brian Tabor suggests once the vaccine is more widely available, other government leaders, sports stars and members of the media could follow suit.
