The results in a poll conducted by the Yahoo News/YouGov on July 28-30 show the lowest percentage of “yes” answers to the question “If and when a coronavirus vaccine becomes available, will you get vaccinated” since the poll started. In fact, the “yes” percentages went from:

• 55% in early May
• 50% in late May and
• 46% in early July.

That said, there are still a lot of people undecided (26-33%).

The poll also showed the percentage of people who would get vaccinated drops when the vaccine caused side effects such as fever or headaches:

• Yes answers fell from 42% to 35%
• No answers went up from 27% to 40%
• Not sure answers went from 32% down to 25%

Last month the FDA said it would be willing to approve a COVID-19 candidate vaccine with an efficacy of 50%. If every American got vaccinated, this efficacy rate would not extinguish the U.S. epidemic but it would slow the spread of the virus. In contrast, the measles vaccine is 95%-98% effective and the efficacy of flu vaccines generally range from 40%-60%.

Bottom line, what will you do and what will you recommend to your residents, staff and families? At this point in time I would hesitate to make any personal recommendations but rather, refer questions to the experts, the CDC, and allow individuals to make their own informed choices. As always, stay well, stay safe and stay tuned!

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