Cliff’s Take: Not So Hesitant Summer
Summer is here. This time around, we can actually enjoy it, particularly if you’re vaccinated.
But that’s the catch. Despite the broad availability of vaccines in the US now, many, around one in five, are still skeptical about vaccines and unsure that they’ll ever get one.
This poses obvious problems for our ultimate goal of herd immunity against the virus. Estimates for what percent of the population need to be vaccinated before we get to that point have varied over the year, but let’s be conservative and say it’s somewhere in the 70% to 80% range.
Right now, just about half of the total US population (under 18-year-olds included) have received the vaccine, per the CDC. Consider also that about half of parents right now aren’t so sure about getting the vaccine for their children.
Granted, this could change as the vaccine for kids age 12 and up becomes more widely adopted. Once parents see for themselves that it’s safe, perspectives could change, as they did around more generalized concerns about the vaccine before it was rolled out.
But still, you do the math. Herd immunity is decidedly not right around the corner at this rate.
Below I detail the most relevant data points of the week.
- Hesitant demo dump. So, who’s vaccinated and who’s not? That depends. Partisanship is the big driver, with one in three Republicans saying they’ll never get the vaccine according to the Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index. And at the same time, just 56% of them have either already gotten the vaccine or would get one as soon as it’s available to them. But stances also vary by age, location, race, income level, and educational attainment.
- Viral partisanship. Let’s dive a little deeper into that partisan breakdown. Axios-Ipsos tracking data underlines just how steady that hesitancy has been among Republicans. It’s a tale of two Americas—one red, the other blue.
- Bold hesitancy. We know that Americans are planning to get out more this summer – a lot more. But will the unvaccinated stay safely at home? They will not.
- To mask or not to mask. Again, the vaccine hesitants are not following the same protocols as the vaccinated. They’re less likely to social distance, less likely to wear a mask. But at the same time, they are more likely to be visiting friends and family and a lot more likely to be going out to eat. Virus be damned.
- Seize the day. COVID modified our world view. We’re going back to the basics. Achievement is out; leisure and family are in. Look at the data.
If the last year taught us anything, it’s that life will go on, hesitancy or no hesitancy. I expect we will welcome in a much more social and joyous summer than the last. I for one will be at the beach. Hope to see you there.
For more information, please contact:
Clifford Young
President, U.S.
Public Affairs
+1 202 420-2016
[email protected]
About Ipsos
Ipsos is now the third largest market research company in the world, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.
Our research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data coming from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.
“Game Changers” — our tagline — summarizes our ambition to help our 5,000 clients to navigate more easily our deeply changing world.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP
