In a continuing survey released early this month, nearly 70% of those survey said concern about the side effects was a significant reason for not wanting to take the vaccine; 55% said that they didn’t need it.

When asked if they had enough information about the vaccine, 63% said they didn’t, which is why 56% of the respondents said they wanted to know more about how well the vaccine would work before taking it.

The study is conducted by the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center (WYSAC).  There has been a steady but small increasing trend of Wyoming people who said they are doubtful to get the vaccine in the last four months.  The most recent results revealed a 2.8% increase in that number.

When asked if they had enough information about the vaccine, 63% said they did not, which is why 56% of the respondents said they wanted to know more about how well the vaccine would work before taking it.

While 61% said they trust the information they hear from local government and health officials, 65% said they do not trust the national news media very much or not at all.

In the survey findings released by WYSAC, Brian Harnisch, a senior research scientist in charge of the project, said, “A majority of those who have not yet received the vaccine say they do not have enough information about the potential side-effects.  Additionally, it appears that residents still have questions about the effectiveness of the vaccine, as well as when and where people like them will be able to get the vaccine.”

Two other studies, the Understanding America Study, conducted by the University of California and the Pew Research Center, found similar findings.

In the USC study, the percentage of people who were very or somewhat unlikely to get the vaccine went from 17% in March to 40% in February.  Pew Research Center found that 21% of people surveyed would not get the vaccine and are pretty sure more information would not change their minds.

Interestingly, in Wyoming, 56% of those surveyed support limiting public gatherings, while only 19% support the closure of K -12 schools.

For the people of Wyoming, it is promising that there has been such a small rise in people being uncertain about getting the vaccine.  According to state data, over 70,000 people have received their first dose of the vaccine.  With the number of cases staying relatively low and the increase of vaccines being administered, attitudes against the vaccine are likely to subside.

The WYSAC study has been going on since March and draws from a total of 1341 WyoSpeaks panel members representing all Wyoming counties that are randomly drawn.  Around 550 people respond, and there is about a 40% response rate.