As new Coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in Northern Ireland in the last week, scientists are working hard behind the scenes to try and develop a vaccine.
But academics around the world are also researching how the public will respond if or when one becomes available.
Queen’s University Lecturer in Medical Statistics, Dr Vikki O’Neill, has been given the task of co-ordinating the Northern Ireland part of a worldwide survey on people’s attitudes to a possible Covid-19 injection.
And she wants to know whether - in a range of different scenarios - you would take one, pay for one or wait until one becomes available for free.
She told Belfast Live: “We are trying to recruit participants for the survey, which looks at preferences for a vaccination if or when one becomes available.”
A total of 556 people have died in Northern Ireland after contracting the strain according to the Department of Health. But the latest NISRA figures, from July 25-31, suggest that 855 deaths here had 'involved' the virus up to that date.
A total of 6,064 people had also tested positive for Coronavirus in the north as of August 6.
It is hoped that a vaccine, should one become available, will help stop the virus in its tracks.
The overall study into public attitudes toward a vaccine is being led by Prof Stephane Hess, director of the Choice Modelling Centre at University of Leeds and a leading expert in understanding and modelling human behaviour.
The professor believes that with “almost daily news about developments in the search for a COVID-19 vaccine, there is a crucial need for research into the public’s response once vaccination becomes possible”.
“There will be an unprecedented vaccination drive starting as soon as a viable vaccine becomes available in large quantities,” said Prof Hess.
“Our study aims to get an understanding of what characteristics of the vaccine will influence public acceptability, who is likely to be willing to get vaccinated from the start, and how vaccination preferences and attitudes differ across regions, countries and personal circumstances.
“Anyone who volunteers their time for taking part in the survey is doing their bit to help gain these important insights.”
The survey has been approved by Lecturer in Medical Statistics.
Anyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw in which they can win a top prize of £100 or four prizes of £50.
You can share your views here.
