WASHINGTON — Across the US, Monday is the day President Joe Biden wanted every adult to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
But now, health experts say the biggest hurdle may be getting more people to want to get the vaccine.
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According to the CDC, half of all the adults nationwide have had at least one shot. However, those still waiting may choose to keep on waiting.
A recent poll by Monmouth University shows 21% of Americans claim they will never get the vaccine if they can avoid it. The poll also looked deeper at the divide in who wants the shot -- and who does not:
- 43% of Republicans want to avoid the vaccine
- 22% of Independents
- 5% of Democrats
According to Johns Hopkins University, Alaska and New Mexico lead the country with more than 30% of their populations fully vaccinated.
Georgia, Alabama and Utah are at the bottom of the list -- with less than 18% fully vaccinated. Health experts are urging people to get the shot.
“These vaccines are exceedingly safe. They’re, I believe, safer than most therapies and vaccines that we have developed in the past,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, of Brown University.
On Wednesday, Biden is expected to address what is happening with the coronavirus response and specifically talk about the state of vaccinations.
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