Bostonians weigh in on prospect of COVID-19 vaccination

BOSTON — To effectively protect the nation from the coronavirus, health experts say 70 to 90 percent of Americans either need to be vaccinated or have their own immunity from fighting off COVID-19.

The federal government outlined a sweeping plan on Wednesday to make vaccines for COVID-19 vaccines available for free for all Americans.

Just how many people will be willing to get vaccinated remains unclear.

Boston 25 News spoke with folks across the Boston area to gather their thoughts on the topic.

“If Dr. Fauci recommends it, I’ll do it,” said Sylvia Soderberg. “Trump has politicized it and other people have to. You don’t know what to believe.”

In an Associated Press Poll taken in May, only about half of Americans said they’d get vaccinated.

The overwhelming majority of those who wouldn’t get vaccinated said they were concerned about safety.

“I would be open to getting a vaccine after the election. I feel that anything before the election is a bit rushed due to political reasons,” said Trina Bowser. “But ultimately I think it’s the only way we’re going to get out of the situation we’re in.”

The Food and Drug Administration said it will authorize a coronavirus vaccine as long as it’s safe and at least 50 percent effective.

According to the CDC, a 50 percent effective vaccine would be roughly on par with those for influenza. However, it would be below the effectiveness of one dose of a measles vaccination - which is about 93 percent effective.

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