New Walgreens survey says 73% of vaccinated U.S. adults had improved mental health after being vaccinated
On May 6, Walgreens released the results of an online survey they conducted related to post-vaccination general consumer sentiment. The survey involved 1,500 participants ranging from a sample of Americans over the age of 18 who reported getting one or both doses of a two-dose vaccine, or a one-dose vaccine. Interviews were collected April 19-21.
In addition to a positive impact on mental and physical health, the survey results suggest some good news ahead for businesses, including those in the travel, hospitality and fitness industry, according to an email from a consultant for H+K Strategies, a company that handles public relations for various organizations.
Survey results demonstrated a more than doubling of comfort with traveling once fully vaccinated, going from an approximate 33% to almost 68%. Most respondents (60%) suggested that post-vaccination and having built up immunity, they were most eager to see family and friends. The comfort level for actually seeing family and friends was 86% post-vaccination, with 75% of participants stating they would be comfortable dining out.
The survey also showed that 75% of participants now feel comfortable returning to the gym after having been vaccinated, whereas 70% had stated gym activities made them the most uncomfortable, prior to being vaccinated.
According to Jim Cohn, the senior director of global corporate communications for Walgreens, the survey was conducted as another means to help individuals further understand the COVID-19 vaccine.
“The survey was really designed to be another tool to help understand COVID-19 vaccine sentiment and people’s attitudes and perceptions. For example, 73 percent of vaccinated U.S. adults we surveyed say that getting the vaccine has positively impacted their mental health. That’s significant when you consider how much the pandemic has negatively impacted many people’s mental and emotional well-being,” Cohn said.
“As it relates to post-vaccine sentiment, #1 on the list was a sense of relief. We’ve heard that a lot, and that was followed by thankfulness and optimism.”
Cohn explained that it was important for Walgreens to get a better understanding of the extent the vaccine provided people in terms of resuming activities and going back to a pre-pandemic lifestyle.
“The findings really underscore how the COVID-19 vaccines have been a catalyst for people returning to some of the activities they’ve missed most,” he said.
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, there was no better time to recognize how key the COVID-19 vaccines have been in restoring normalcy in the lives of people.
While Cohn pointed out that the survey itself was not focused specifically on mental health or wellbeing, the findings on those data points were notable.
“The data point on mental health was one of the more notable findings, and particularly important due to the mental health toll of the pandemic. The CDC, for example, cites that signs/symptoms for depression and anxiety have nearly quadrupled since the onset of the pandemic last March,” Cohn said.
“Our pharmacy staff and store team members have seen first-hand some of the emotion from customers and patients—having endured the past year of the pandemic, and now, recognizing the vaccine can be the catalyst to getting back to the people, and the things they truly value and have missed the most,” said Rina Shah, Walgreens group vice president of pharmacy operations and services.
The survey results found that while nearly 70% of respondents were looking to get vaccinated as soon as it was available to them, 29% still had some hesitancy to receive it. Though ultimately, those participants did decide it was in their best interest to get vaccinated.
“As more people look to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyle, the coronavirus vaccines have been and can continue to be the key for doing so as quickly and safely as possible,” Shah added.
