A glance at the above graphic convinces the power of the Delta variant, but there are intriguing exceptions we won’t explore here. The United States is closing on the United Kingdom and India, although the data does derive from targeted testing. This share of Delta variant is a dramatic increase. It’s up from 50% in the U.S. in the week of July 3, CDC director Rochelle Walensky told a Senate committee hearing Tuesday.
Think of the Delta on Steroids, says Andy Slavitt
Andy Slavitt is a former senior adviser to the White House Covid Response Team. He told CNN a few days earlier ‘It’s twice as infectious. But fortunately, unlike 2020, we actually have a tool that stops the Delta variant in its tracks. It’s called vaccine.’
However, vaccination uptake seems to be stalling everywhere, despite the sharply rising share of the delta variant. A combination of disinformation, misunderstanding, and limited resources may be fueling this trend.
An Axios-Ipsos poll during July 16 to 19, revealed opinions of a nationally-representative sample of 1,048 general-population US adults. It’s a narrow lens, but nonetheless we should hear the result.
The Rising Share of Delta Variant Is Only Nudging Opinions
The following is a high-level summary of the Axios-Ipsos poll. We include a link to the full report below, in case you would like to know more.
1… Some 39% of Americans are concerned about the risks of returning to pre-pandemic practices. 43% are socially distancing, but the majority are not staying at home. However, closer to 60% are concerned about high-spreader locations.
2… But those opinions are not translating to a mass shift in behavior. Less than half respondents are wearing masks in public places, 60% dine out, 20% are continuing to say they are not at all likely to receive the vaccine.
3… However, two-thirds of vaccinated adults are interested in booster shots. This rises to 60% very likely, if a new variant spreads. Moreover, nine-out-of-ten will have the booster if their doctor recommends it.
4… Interestingly, some 20% of unvaccinated adults are more likely to have the vaccine if it were available at their doctor or primary care provider’s office, or were they given paid time off. The likelihood is still 15% if the opportunity knocked on their door.
However, the majority of unvaccinated Americans polled said ‘they would not be at all likely to get the vaccine, regardless of the outreach effort’. These finding may put the 70% national target tantalizingly beyond reach.
Related
A Pandemic of Unvaccinated Citizens
South Australia Restricts as Delta Variant Nips
Preview Image: Share of Delta Variant
