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COVID-19: 18+ age group still hesitant about the vaccine, medical mistrust remains a concern

Jacksonville, FL. — Despite thousands of more people across the state of Florida soon having access to the COVID-19 vaccine, Action News Jax has learned the demand might not be as high as it was for 65 and older.

Part of that reason? Medical mistrust.

Vaccine hesitancy and medical mistrust have really been in the drivers seat since this all began and returning to normal is what everybody wants; especially college students who are trying to enjoy those amazing four years.

With the age eligibility set to drop to 18+ in just 10 days, students at UNF say they’ll get the vaccine if that’s what it takes, but they’re still skeptical about the idea.

UNF sophomore Kamryn Hernandez is one of thousands who will be eligible for the covid-19 vaccine come April 5. She says she’ll get it, but just not right away.

“It’s a little nerve-wracking to be honest because of all this stuff is so new,” she said. “It’s iffy for me, I’m not sure about my age group taking it, I think we should wait a little bit.”

Hernandez says the idea of a vaccine being rushed scares her, but assistant chief medical officer for UF Health Chirag Patel says these vaccines didn’t just come out of the blue.

“Pfizer was the first messenger RNA vaccine but the science behind it has been there for a decade,” he told Action News Jax. “For the Johnson & Johnson, science that’s been out for more than a decade and a lot of the vaccines you get right now are using that same technology.”

On the other hand, sophomore Maya Coffey already feels confident in it and knows it will help make her family safer too.

“I’m considering there’s no long-term research for the vaccine but I do believe it’s safe and that it works,” she said.

According to the CDC, just over 5 and a half million people ages 18 and up in Florida have received at least one dose. Hernandez says she’s ready to see some change.

“A lot of us at UNF would love to go back to normal,” she said.

Dr. Patel told Action News Jax that to get back to the pre-pandemic way of life, we must get to herd immunity and says that’s not happening until a majority of the population is vaccinated.

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