Ever since the start of the global pandemic, the world has been eagerly awaiting the development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines. Not only will these save lives, but kick-start the economy and pave the way to a return to normality. Americans have welcomed recent news, with cautious optimism, that two vaccines will receive FDA approval this year. However, current predictions expect just 3.7 percent of the American population to receive the vaccine in 2020. Naturally, and according to basic economic theory — there is more demand when there is less supply — many Americans will be determined to be first on the list. But the question remains, just how desperate would they be to jump the queue and get vaccinated first?
MyBioSource.com, a biotechnological products distribution company, carried out a survey of 4,428 (ages 18-plus) to find out how much each person, hypothetically, would be prepared to pay to get vaccinated ahead of others. The poll revealed the average Utahn would sacrifice $429 of their savings to be first in line (compared to a national average of $460). It appears Oklahomans would be prepared to spend the most — a hefty $936. South Dakotans would only be willing to pay $279 to get vaccinated first.
Understandably, some may be worried about partaking in a vaccine that has been rushed through clinical trials due to the rapid transmission of the virus. The survey found that nearly one in five (16 percent) respondents say they are more concerned about a coronavirus vaccine than the virus itself.
