Only a third of Democrats say they’ll ‘definitely’ get vaccinated
When the development of a vaccine seems to be driven by political considerations and a massive payday for whoever finishes first – with immunizations perhaps enforced by your college – is it any wonder young people aren’t eager to take a vaccine for COVID-19?
The latest survey by Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics finds apathy – at best – among those ages 18-29 on whether they will get whatever vaccine is shoved in their face by a student life official or employer, according to its press release:
Only a quarter of young Americans say they will “definitely” get a COVID-19 vaccine. Broken down by political party, 34 percent of Democrats say they will “definitely” get a COVID vaccine, compared to only 14 percent of Republicans. Likewise, 9 percent of Democrats will “definitely not” get a COVID vaccine, compared to 25 percent of Republicans.
This age group also ranks the economy its biggest issue in the coming presidential election, suggesting “a potential difference between young voters and voters in general (who may prioritize COVID),” the institute says, given that young people have a low risk level from the novel coronavirus.
Despite the fact that shutdown policies by state and local leaders are most responsible for their worsening economic situation, young voters also pin the blame on President Trump.
And while there’s a 14-point enthusiasm gap between young voters for each candidate, with fewer than a third “very enthusiastic” about voting for Joe Biden, the gaffe-prone Democrat has higher overall support from likely young voters (60 percent) than did Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Barack Obama in 2008, according to the survey.
The survey of just over 1,200 young adults also found that they “overwhelmingly disapprove” of tactics used in racial justice protests. Only 9 percent said they support “damage to public property” and 6 percent approve of “stealing and looting.”
The poll used a “probability-based internet panel approach” with interviews conducted Aug. 28-Sept. 9. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.22 percentage point at the 95 percent confidence level.
The full results of the survey aren’t available, as the institute has not yet posted them. The press release it sent Tuesday morning incorrectly links to the page from the spring survey. The College Fix has asked the institute for the full results.
MORE: Millennials dislike Trump but like a lot of his policies: survey
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