A new poll shows about 27 percent of Missourians are "not at all likely" to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
That's disheartening, considering all the sacrifices we've made individually and collectively to stay safe over the past year and get to this point.
Don't get us wrong. We don't believe government does or should have the ability to force people to get vaccinated. We just believe that, for the vast majority of people, it's the right thing to do.
American Viewpoint, based in Virginia, did the survey for the Missouri Hospital Association, surveyed 800 Missourians, finding that 42 percent are very likely and 16 percent "somewhat likely" to be vaccinated.
Also, CNN reported Thursday that a "significant number of hospital and nursing home staff (are) not taking advantage of their priority status to get the vaccine."
The Associated Press reports if you've been infected in the last three months, the CDC says it's OK to delay vaccination if you want to let others go first while supplies are limited.
But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say most people should be vaccinated, even if they've already had the virus.
If you've had the virus, your body likely has produced antibodies that will last an unknown amount of time, perhaps several months, according to the latest research.
But the AP says vaccines, by contrast, are designed to bring about a more consistent and optimal immune response. And they should boost whatever pre-existing immunity a person might have from an infection, experts say.
As of this writing, COVID-19 has killed more than 383,000 Americans and 6,200 Missourians.
For our society to get past this pandemic and start to return to normal, we need broad vaccinations.
We urge everyone to follow the advice of their doctor. If that happens, most of us will be vaccinated and our country will achieve "herd" immunity hopefully later this year.
News Tribune