Pharmacists Shouldn’t Expect COVID-19 Vaccine Demand to Increase Much Now

Pharmacists shouldn’t expect an onslaught of COVID-19 vaccine-seekers, even with cases, hospitalizations and deaths increasing due to the Delta variant. Most of those who are unvaccinated plan to stay that way, according to a new poll. On the other hand, Americans who are fully vaccinated said they would be highly likely to get booster shots if recommended. Here are more details.

WASHINGTON, DC – Pharmacists might be interested to know that the overwhelming majority of those unvaccinated against COVID-19 at this point is unlikely to be persuaded to get a shot any time soon.

Door-to-door outreach or celebrity endorsements are having little effect, according to the latest Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.

On the other hand, medical professionals offering vaccines shouldn’t put up their syringes yet. Most Americans who are vaccinated against the novel coronavirus told pollsters they are very likely to get a booster shot if recommended.

In terms of the unvaccinated, three-fourths or more said they remained unconvinced. The factor that would be most influential in persuading them to get a shot is if it were provided by a doctor or primary care provider, 26%, or if they were given paid time off by an employer to be vaccinated, 25%.

On the other hand, the unvaccinated are only 14% likely to respond to an endorsement by a celebrity or public figure they like or 15% likely if a community volunteer comes to their door. endorsing the vaccine (14% likely) or a community volunteer coming to their door (15% likely). The poll notes that a majority of the unvaccinated said they would be influenced at all to get the vaccine, regardless of the outreach effort. And that’s despite COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on the rise, many of which can be attributed to the Delta variant, according to the researchers.

Overall, according to the poll, reported vaccination rates have also stayed stagnant for the past few weeks, with about 20% of Americans continuing to say they are not at all likely to receive the vaccine.

Conversely, most Americans who are already vaccinated are likely get a COVID-19 booster shot if offered, especially if their doctor or primary care provider recommends it.

Of the about two-thirds of adults who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, a significant majority say they are very or somewhat likely to receive a booster shot: Specifically:

• 58% or more report being very likely to receive a booster, if cases rise in the U.S;
• 60% if a new variant spreads;
• 61% if public health officials recommend receiving one;
• 68% if it is recommended to get one annually like a flu shot, and
• 70% if their doctor/PCP recommends receiving one.

Pollsters point out that more than 90% of vaccinated adults say it is at least somewhat likely they would get a booster if their doctor recommended it.