(INDIANAPOLIS) — Now that the coronavirus vaccine is here, the next question is how many people will take it.
A week before the first vaccine was approved, a Gallup poll found 37% of Americans say they
won’t take it. Distrust runs especially high among minorities.
IU Health senior vice president Tory Castor says the hospital network isn’t requiring its own
employees to get vaccinated, and won’t browbeat patients into it. But she says IU is trying to serve
as a reliable source to help people understand the fast-changing information about the virus and the
vaccine.
House Public Health Chairman Brad Barrett (R-Richmond), a retired surgeon, says the fact doctors
and nurses are first in line may give others confidence in the vaccine by the time it’s more widely
available.
President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Vice President Pence and three of
the four living former presidents plan to get vaccinated publicly to build confidence in the vaccine.
Pence and his wife Karen will do so publicly on Friday with Surgeon General Jerome Adams.
Governor Holcomb has said he’ll get vaccinated as well, but won’t “cut the line.” Indiana Hospital
Association president Brian Tabor suggests once the vaccine is more widely available, other
government leaders, sports starsm and members of the media could follow suit.
