Staff Contact: Mat Reidhead or Jackie Gatz
Two weeks following activation of the third phase of vaccine eligibility that opened access to all Missourians ages 16 and older, the number of doses administered statewide last week was nearly half the number administered during the week ending April 11. The weakened demand was most pronounced in the counties surrounding Springfield, Columbia and Jefferson City where vaccines administered last week were less than half the number administered just two weeks prior (45% in Greene and Christian Counties, and 39% in Boone and Cole Counties). The declining demand corresponds with polling data released last week by MHA that signaled 28% of Missourians had no plans of becoming vaccinated. This included more than half of individuals without health insurance and individuals identifying as having very conservative political inclinations. The poll also explored key messages that resonate most effectively with individual segments of vaccine-hesitant Missourians. Among the uninsured, understanding that the vaccines are available free of charge was most influential in inducing demand, while people identifying as very conservative found the most comfort in knowing that the speed of vaccine development was made possible by eliminating regulatory hurdles and not taking shortcuts in scientific methods or evaluation of safety.