• Bridget J Kelly, Brian G Southwell, Lauren A McCormack, Carla M Bann, MacDonaldPia D MPDMRTI International, Research Triangle Park, 701 13th St. NW, Ste. 750, Washington, DC, 20005, USA.Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA., Alicia M Frasier, Christine A Bevc, Noel T Brewer, and Linda B Squiers.
• RTI International, Research Triangle Park, 701 13th St. NW, Ste. 750, Washington, DC, 20005, USA. bkelly@rti.org.
• Bmc Infect Dis. 2021 Apr 12; 21 (1): 338.

BackgroundAs COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts continue, public health workers can strategize about vaccine promotion in an effort to increase willingness among those who may be hesitant.MethodsIn April 2020, we surveyed a national probability sample of 2279 U.S. adults using an online panel recruited through address-based sampling. Households received a computer and internet access if needed to participate in the panel. Participants were invited via e-mail and answered online survey questions about their willingness to get a novel coronavirus vaccine when one became available. The survey was completed in English and Spanish. We report weighted percentages.ResultsMost respondents were willing to get the vaccine for themselves (75%) or their children (73%). Notably, Black respondents were less willing than White respondents (47% vs. 79%, p < 0.001), while Hispanic respondents were more willing than White respondents (80% vs. 75%, p < 0.003). Females were less likely than makes (72% vs. 79%, p < 0.001). Those without insurance were less willing than the insured (47% vs. 78%, p < 0.001). Willingness to vaccinate was higher for those age 65 and older than for some younger age groups (85% for those 65 and older vs. 75% for those 50-64, p < 0.017; 72% for those 35-49, p < 0.002; 70% for those 25-34, p = NS and 75% for ages 18-24, p = NS), but other groups at increased risk because of underlying medical conditions or morbid obesity were not more willing to get vaccinated than their lower risk counterparts.ConclusionsMost Americans were willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine, but several vulnerable populations reported low willingness. Public health efforts should address these gaps as national implementation efforts continue.

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