57% of Americans would pay to move up in COVID-19 vaccination line

35% of Americans feel resentment towards those who got vaccinated before them

• Many Americans are anticipating their long-awaited turn to get the vaccine
• Public’s desire for a COVID-19 shot is producing conflicting feelings
• People are frustrated that high-profile Americans and celebrities have been able to skirt the system to get a vaccine before others

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to roll out across the country, many Americans are anticipating their long-awaited turn to get the vaccine. After a year of living in a pandemic, the public’s desire for a COVID-19 shot is producing conflicting feelings. 

Recent survey of more than 1,000 consumers found some are frustrated that high-profile Americans and celebrities have been able to skirt the system to get a vaccine before others, while other Americans admit they would pay to be moved up in the vaccination line. 

Key findings: 

• While most Americans don’t think people should be able to pay to get a COVID-19 vaccine earlier than normal, 57% admit they’d pay to move up in line.
  • More than 10% would shell out $500 or more to secure a spot.
• 27% of Americans would give up alcohol for a year if it meant they could get the COVID-19 vaccine tomorrow.
  • Some would also give up Netflix (23%), video games (22%), and watching sports (22%). Consumers were least willing to sacrifice listening to music (10%), sex (14%), shopping (15%), and recreational drugs (16%).
• More than a quarter (26%) say they’ve taken on a second job to qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine earlier than they would have. An additional 18% will consider doing so.
• Likewise, 60% think it’s unfair if celebrities and other high-profile individuals have been able to get vaccinated before them.
• 35% of Americans have felt jealous or resentful toward people in their life who have been vaccinated before them. Gen Xers (50%) and millennials (46%) feel more jealousy than any other generation.