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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Poll: Half of Vaccine-Hesitant KY Adults Open to Changing Minds

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Thursday, April 15, 2021   

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Half of Kentucky adults who are reluctant to get a COVID-19 vaccination say they'd be open to changing their minds if they had more information, according to a new poll by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

Allison Adams, vice president for policy at the Foundation, said if public health-officials can reach the Kentuckians who are reluctant to get a COVID vaccine with facts and data, and more of them decide to be vaccinated, the state will likely be in a much stronger position in terms of herd immunity.

"It is generally safer to achieve herd immunity through vaccinations than someone getting sick, because we know Kentuckians have gotten really sick, and many have died," Adams explained.

The poll highlights the demographic groups - one in three men, four in ten Republicans, and one-third of people living in suburban or rural communities - who reported they would "probably or definitely not" roll up their sleeves for the vaccine.

Of those reluctant to get the vaccine, the groups who said they're open to changing their minds with additional information include 47% of Republicans, 53% of people in rural counties, and 53% of high school graduates.

"So that's important for us to learn and understand as we build our partners and collaborations, and recruit messengers, as well as craft the right message," Adams outlined.

The poll also found Kentuckians are nearly split on whether they believe getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a personal choice or part of everyone's responsibility to protect the health of the community.

Adams emphasized it's okay to ask questions about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.

"Whether that's your healthcare provider, whether that's your person at church or your best friend," Adams suggested. "Go and ask those questions, so that you can have that informed decision."

According to the survey, older Kentuckians are more likely to have already received or still intend to get the shot, along with college graduates.

Disclosure: Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Health Issues, and Smoking Prevention. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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