Vaccines are on the horizon. Will the public accept them?

After months of mask-wearing, social-distancing and general COVID-fatigue, a vaccine for the coronavirus is on the horizon. According to one tracker, 11 vaccines are in the final testing phase to determine safety and efficacy.

But developing the vaccine is just one finish line. The next step is to mass produce and distribute the vaccine. 

To achieve herd immunity, at least 70 percent of the public must get vaccinated, which could be a challenge. The Pew Research Center found the percentage of U.S. adults who would get a COVID-19 vaccine dropped from 72 percent in May to 51 percent in September. 

In some communities of color where the virus is having a disproportionate effect, some are skeptical about volunteering for vaccine trials or being first in line for a new vaccine. So what’s the best way to proceed? 

Monday at 9 a.m., MPR News host Kerri Miller spoke with two experts about the science and the art of educating the public about the much-hoped-for vaccine.

Guests:

• Angela Rasmussen is a virologist and associate research scientist at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

• Thomas LaVeist is a professor and dean at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He also serves as the co-chair of Louisiana’s COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.

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