(AXIOS) The share of Americans eager to try a first-generation coronavirus vaccine dropped significantly in the latest installment of the Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index, as President Trump hyped suggestions that one could be ready before the election.
Why it matters: As the U.S. reaches a milestone of 200,000 deaths, this underscores the risks of politicizing the virus and its treatments.
- The trend is taking place among Republicans as well as Democrats.
- It’s another warning of the potential difficulties health authorities will face in convincing enough Americans that a vaccine is safe and effective.
The big picture: Americans don’t see the vaccine as a silver bullet right now. Many respondents in Week 25 of our national survey feel it’s risky and at least want to wait to see how others do. And only half are prepared to pay out of pocket for it.