REVEALED: Nearly 40% of sailors choose not to receive COVID-19 vaccines because they believe they were developed too quickly
- New data released by CNN indicates that 38.9% of Marines have rejected the vaccine
- It is considerably higher than the rejection rate of the general public, which is about 25%
- Military officials have previously said the hesitation is mainly due to concerns about the speed with which vaccines were developed.
- As of Thursday, 20 percent of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated
According to new data, almost 40% of Marines choose not to receive vaccines against COVID-19.
CNN reported Saturday that some 75,000 Marines have had one or two doses of the vaccine and 48,000 have refused, a rejection rate of 38.9%.
It is considerably higher than the rejection rate among the general public which, according to a recent NPR survey, stands at around 25 per cent.
As of Thursday, nearly 20% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated.
Marines say there are several reasons why they choose not to receive the vaccines, but they would not identify any.
Officials previously said the wider hesitation among the armed forces depended on how quickly vaccines were developed and the fear of long-term side effects.
CNN reported Saturday that 75,500 Marines have received vaccines, but 48,000 (38.9%) have decided not to
“We fully understand that widespread acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccine provides us with the best means to overcome the pandemic. The key to tackling the pandemic is to build confidence in vaccines.
“Service members who refuse one day may change their minds and get vaccinated when the opportunity arises,” Marine Corps spokeswoman Colonel Kelly Frushour said.
One of the highest rejection rates was at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, where 57% rejected the shot.
Because all traits have only received emergency approval from the FDA, the government cannot impose them.
Three vaccines have been approved in the US; Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson.
The general public has been enthusiastic, but there is more hesitation in some communities.
A recent NPR survey found that one in four Americans would not get a vaccine if offered.
According to CBS, Republican men are among the most hesitant. They believe it is not necessary.
Others distrust the media and think there are long-term side effects of the vaccine that are not being reported.
It plays into the broadest division among Americans that has existed since the pandemic began.
In general, Democratic cities, states, leaders, and voters have taken more extreme precautions and been more afraid of the virus.
Republican leaders have not applied such harsh restrictions.