For these five Michigan residents, getting a COVID vaccine is 'a hard no'

Whether fueled by faith or fear, beliefs tied to their own health or conservative politics, a significant portion of Michigan’s adult population agree on this: they want nothing to do with receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Public health officials say that’s of urgent concern, since at least 70 percent of the population must be vaccinated to reach “herd immunity” that will allow Michigan to escape the pandemic.

Bridge Michigan spoke with five residents about the beliefs that animate their opposition to COVID vaccines now approved for emergency use in the U.S. Their concerns ranged from the breakneck pace of vaccine approval, to confidence in their own immune systems, to a reliance on conspiracy theories that have been largely debunked.

Three of the five people who shared their stories are white, one is African American and one is Hispanic. Most expressed wariness toward government or politicians. Four said they voted for or admired former President Trump, who has offered mixed messages on the need for vaccination and has amplified conspiracy theories about the coronavirus.

Read more: https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/these-five-michigan-residents-getting-covid-vaccine-hard-no