A recent Construction Dive survey of its readers shows 46% of the nearly 450 survey respondents who have not been vaccinated do not plan to receive the vaccine, according to www.constructiondive.com. This response aligns with a recent survey from data research firm Morning Consult that showed construction workers are among the least likely employees among all industries to get the vaccine.
Of all respondents, 26% have been fully vaccinated and 34% are awaiting a second shot. Forty percent have not yet been vaccinated.
Respondents’ reasons for hesitancy include believing the vaccine is unnecessary; believing it presents a health risk; and questioning the safety of the vaccines because of how quickly they were developed.
Others said they are willing to get the vaccine but are discouraged by the time it takes to get an appointment and travel to vaccination sites.
Those who have received the vaccine said they have done so for personal and public health reasons and believe getting vaccinated is the best way to revive the economy and the construction industry.
Ninety-three percent of respondents said their companies are not offering incentives or bonuses for getting vaccinated, though some said their companies strongly encourage it. Seventy percent said they believe people in the construction industry are at high risk for contracting COVID-19 because of the large numbers of people coming and going on job sites and difficulty complying with social distancing guidelines.
