Americans expect to see medical advances this year to treat or prevent the coronavirus, and about 7 in 10 say they would get a vaccine for COVID-19 if it were available, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted April 29-May 5. Other findings highlighted in the short slide show below include attitudes toward the clinical trial process and compassionate use of unapproved drugs.
Most Americans are optimistic about COVID-19 treatment, prevention -- nearly 85% believe there will be an effective treatment or cure for the diseae caused by the virus and three-quarters think there will be a vaccine before the end of 2020.
Majorities across demographic groups appear willing to be vaccinated against coronavirus although there are some differences. Women are slightly less likely than men and Black Americans are less likely vs white and Hispanic Americans to say they would get the vaccine.
Baby boomers are more likely (76%) than younger generations--Generation X (69%) and Millennials and younger (74%)-- to avail themselves of a coronavirus vaccine.
Most Americans support the clinical trial process to establish vaccine safety & efficacy with two-thirds saying the process is very important “even if it will lengthen the time it takes to develop new treatments.”
Six in 10 (59%) American adults see net benefits of allowing access to experimental drugs before clinical trials are complete.
