13% of adults say they will 'definitely not' get the COVID-19 vaccine. Here are their reasons. - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Though the COVID vaccine availability continues to increase, not everyone plans to get the shot.

Volunteer Yara Youssef prepares a syringe with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine during the 2nd Dose COVID Vaccine Community Clinic hosted at Azura Enhanced Assisted Living and Memory Care in Fox Point.

The receptionist at her doctor's office was on the line, asking the 45-year-old office manager whether she wanted to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

"They just called and asked if I was interested in getting a COVID shot," she said.

She said she turned down the COVID-19 vaccine for the same reason she's always declined a flu shot.

"Everyone's body must be exposed to germs in order to build immunity to them," she said.

have either received one or signed up to get one, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor, a research project tracking the public’s attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccinations. .

adults say they will "definitely not" get a vaccination for COVID-19, according to the Kaiser vaccine monitor. .

The three next most common reasons, each cited by 8% of respondents, are that they don't believe the vaccine is effective, they don't need it and they don't know what's in it. .

The COVID-19 vaccine is free, you don't need health insurance to get it and no ID is needed. .

He said he hopes Damia gets the vaccine eventually, but right now she's hesitant.

Her job, leading a group of about 25 individuals from diverse backgrounds, is to build vaccine confidence across the region.

Jump at the Sun hosted focus groups with individuals who are part of Hispanic and Black communities to understand why people are hesitant about getting the vaccine and what it would take to build vaccine confidence.

"They also want to hear from other individuals in the neighborhood, their family, friends and elders as to why they're choosing to get the vaccine," she said.

Gwen Washington and Laura Manriquez, both of Milwaukee, were hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at first, but ultimately decided to get the shot.

Washington, 63, a longtime educator with Milwaukee Public Schools, said that, as an African American, she was getting mixed messages about both the seriousness of the vaccine and COVID-19 in general and was apprehensive about getting vaccinated.

They're among 13 people taking part in a local campaign to build confidence in the vaccines

Manriquez was initially reluctant to receive the vaccine for several reasons

Manriquez said she also knew several people who had gotten the COVID-19 vaccine and some reported feeling sick, and she "didn't want to be sick again."

Manriquez said that made her reluctant to receive the shot

"When the COVID vaccines were coming out, I was concerned that if I had gotten the COVID vaccine, after having had COVID twice, I was concerned that that might have been the death of me," she said

Syringes and vials of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are prepared during a vaccine clinic in Fox Point

One reason people might be reluctant to get the vaccine is a fear of needles. (Photo: Scott Ash / Now News Group)