Most Americans Now Say They’ve Gotten At Least One Dose of a COVID-19 Vaccine or Want to Get Vaccinated As Soon As Possible, with Enthusiasm Rising Across Racial, Ethnic and Partisan Groups

Another fifth (22%) are open to a vaccine but would like to "wait until it's available for a while to see how it works for others," up from 31% a month ago when more people got the vaccine.

"We're seeing more Americans wanting to get vaccinated, but Black, Hispanic, and rural Americans will be left behind unless special efforts are made to build vaccine confidence in these communities," said Drew Altman, President and CEO of KFF .

The latest report shows that all populations have seen an increase in the proportion who have already been vaccinated or want to be vaccinated as soon as possible, although the level of zeal varies considerably.

People 65 and over (44% vaccinated, 33% as soon as they can) and Democrats (23% vaccinated, 52% as soon as they can) are the most eager. Black adults and young adults under 30 are most likely to say they want to “wait and see” before being vaccinated. A third of each group describes themselves that way, along with a quarter (26%) of Hispanic adults.

While the two COVID-19 vaccines currently in use include two doses, a third could soon be available that would only require one dose. About a quarter (26%) of those who want to “wait and see” say they are more likely to be vaccinated if only a single shot is required.

Around one in five (22%) are more reluctant to get vaccinated, including 7% who say they do so “only when needed” for work, school or other activities, and 15% who say they definitely haven't been vaccinated become. The most reluctant groups include Republicans, key workers outside of health care, and people who live in rural areas.

The overall size of this reluctant group has changed little since December, suggesting that they are less influenced by news and experiences of others than those in the “wait and see” camp.

Side effects remain people's top concern even though some are concerned about the financial cost

Side effects remain people's top concern – most (56%) of those who haven't been vaccinated, including 80% of those in the “wait and see” group, fear that the vaccine could cause serious side effects.

About a third of those not vaccinated say they are concerned that they may have to pay for the vaccine out of their own pocket (35%), not have to work due to side effects (34%), or receive COVID-19 from the vaccine must (33%).

Each of these issues are more common in the “wait and see” group, including at least half of the black and Hispanic adults in this group who say they are concerned about getting COVID from the vaccine (61% and 67%, respectively) who lack work due to side effects (58% and 66%) or out of pocket (50% and 61%).

In addition, about half (52%) of black adults and 58% of Hispanic adults in the "wait and see" group fear that they cannot get the vaccine in a trusted place.

Among people who have not yet been vaccinated, those with a household member (69%) or a close friend or family member (49%) who have already been vaccinated are more likely to say they want the vaccine as soon as possible than those who have been vaccinated only knew someone they knew (33%) or did not know anyone who had received the vaccine (36%).

Many black and Hispanic adults lack confidence. Vaccines were adequately tested in their groups

The vaccine monitor also measures how black and Hispanic adults see the vaccines developing and whether they have been adequately tested for safety and effectiveness in people like them.

Half of black adults say they are unsure that the COVID-19 vaccines have been tested adequately in blacks, and a third of Hispanic adults do not trust the tests in Hispanics.

Confidence in the testing process is related to people's willingness to get vaccinated. Compared to their less confident peers, Black and Hispanic adults who are confident that the vaccine has been tested appropriately in their own race or ethnic group are about twice as likely to report that they have already been vaccinated or want the vaccine as soon as possible .

Designed and analyzed by KFF public pollsters, the KFF Vaccine Monitor survey was conducted February 15-23 among a nationally representative sample of 1,874 adults with random choices, including over-samples of adults who were black (507) or Spanish (506) are ). The interviews were conducted in English and Spanish by landline (339) and mobile phone (1,535). The margin of error in the sample is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the entire sample. Results based on subgroups may have a higher sampling error rate.

The KFF COVID-19 vaccine monitor is an ongoing research project that tracks public attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccinations. Using a combination of surveys and qualitative research, this project tracks the dynamics of public opinion in the course of the development and diffusion of vaccines, including the trust and acceptance of vaccines, the need for information, trusted ambassadors and messages, and the public's experience of vaccines.