Healthcare workers will be among the first to receive new COVID-19 vaccines in Kentucky and across the nation, but not all are eager to be part of the initial round.
A Centers for Disease Control survey shared on November 23rd found that 63% of U.S. healthcare workers polled in recent months were ready to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine. Opinions about the vaccines are also being surveyed at the University of Kentucky.
"I'd say half absolutely want to get the vaccine. Another 30% would like to see more data around side effects and other things," UK Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. Mark Newman told reporters last week. "There are a group that are still concerned or would like to wait, and... we're going to be supportive. It's going to be a situation where we're not mandating, we're encouraging."
An NPR report found many of those reluctant healthcare workers cite the unprecedented speed of the vaccine development and worries about political pressure being put on science agencies.
The University of Kentucky and Baptist Health Lexington will be among the first facilities receiving doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the commonwealth.
Two-thirds of Kentucky's initial allocation is already earmarked for long-term care facilities. The governor has announced 11 healthcare sites will receive the remaining third — with vaccinations starting as early as December 15.
The shipments are relatively small, with Baptist Health Lexington receiving 975 and UK receiving 1,950, but larger shipments of the Moderna vaccine could arrive before the end of 2020.
