Poll: Arizonans largely in favor of COVID-19 vaccine, but many want to wait for others to take it – The Arizona Republic

Many Arizonans remain concerned about COVID-19 and are interested ina vaccine, but sentiments largely are divided alongparty lines, according to a statewide poll conducted this week.

Fifteen percent of Arizonans saidCOVID-19 will be the most important issue facing the next president.

COVID-19 ranked third among 13 issues in the poll, behind bringing the country together and jobs and the economy.

But the response was divided by party. Nearly a third of Democrats,or 31%,said COVID-19 was the top issue for the next president, compared to just 4% of Republicans.

Nearly three-quarters of Arizonans, or 73%, said they will take or consider taking a federally approved COVID-19 vaccine, but most said theyd like to wait until others have taken it rather than taking it right away. That number breaks down to 31.6% who will take it ASAP while 41.6% would wait awhile. Another 18% said they wouldn't take it.

Republicans were more willing to take the vaccine as soon as they can, while more Democrats and independents said they'd "wait awhile until others have taken it," according to the poll.

About 9% of Democrat respondents said they will not take the vaccine, compared to 25% of Republicans and 21% of Independents and other voters.

The Suffolk University/USA TODAY Network poll surveyed 500 likely Arizona voters on issues ranging from the new coronavirus to the November election. The poll was conducted by phone between Saturday and Wednesday.

Poll respondents were split in thirds between registered Democrats, Republicans and independents. Respondents were from across the state and diverse in terms of age, ethnicity and income level.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

David Hammond, a 36-year-old Democrat from north Phoenix, said he'd like to take the vaccine but wants to wait to "see how it plays out" and to make sure it's been tested enough.

Particularly with the administration in the White House, theyre so damn concerned with getting something out before the election, that Id just be concerned that something is pushed out before its been fully vetted," he said.

James Slagle, 73, said he will take the government-approved vaccine as soon as it's available to him, without a doubt.

Slagle, a registered Republican from Tucson, said as a retired Air Force colonel and negotiator, he knows what the U.S. government is capable of and will certainly take the vaccine. While he said his age plays a factor in his eagerness for a vaccine, he mostly wants to see the country return to business as usual.

Its on everybodys mind, and if it isnt, it should be, he said of the virus. We need to solve this problem and move on with our lives and get our economy back.

If the vaccine was required by the federal government, Arizona residents were a bit more wary. About half those surveyed said theyd take the vaccine, 37%said they wouldnt and 11% said they were undecided.

Described as a "leading candidate" by experts, the vaccine developed by Oxford is starting late stage trials in Arizona. Arizona Republic

Arizonans also weighed in on how President Donald Trump has handled the pandemic response. About 36% of respondents said hes done an excellent or good job while 61% said Trumps approach has been fair or poor.

Arizona had reported 219,212 identified COVID-19 cases and 5,674 known deaths as of Thursday. In July, the state was the national hotspot for spread of the virus.

Arizona hasone of the highest overall rates of COVID-19 infection in the country fifth behind Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama as of Thursday.

Arizona's infection rate is 3,047cases per 100,000 people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The national average is 2,180cases per 100,000 people, though the rates in states hard-hit early on in the pandemic may be an undercount due to a lack of available testing in March and April.

TheCOVID-19 death ratein Arizona was 78per 100,000 people as of Thursday, according to the CDC, putting it 10th in the country in a state ranking that separates New York City and New York state. The U.S. average is 62deaths per 100,000 people, the CDC says.

Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.

Support local journalism.Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2020/10/02/three-quarters-arizonans-would-take-covid-19-vaccine-poll-suffolk-university-usa-today/5882855002/

See the article here:

Poll: Arizonans largely in favor of COVID-19 vaccine, but many want to wait for others to take it - The Arizona Republic