KENTUCKY — Most Kentuckians aren’t letting concerns about COVID-19 keep them from attending or hosting family gatherings during the holidays, a new poll from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky showed.

Over 8 in 10 Kentuckians responded it was “not too likely” or “not likely at all” that COVID-19 would keep them from holiday gatherings.

Also, compared to the foundation’s Vaccines in Kentucky Poll conducted over the summer, more Kentuckians said the pandemic is “over” in the state and in their own lives. So overall, it seems most have found a way to carry on with a relative return to normalcy.

“Almost three years into this pandemic, Kentuckians have found ways to live with the threat of COVID-19,” said Ben Chandler, president and CEO, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. He added Kentuckians should remain vigilant by "washing our hands often, staying home when sick, and keeping up to date on our immunizations."

The poll also showed nearly three-quarters of vaccinated Kentuckians were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to get a COVID-19 booster shot if it is recommended to be taken annually, similar to the flu shot.

The groups most resistant to getting annual boosters in the future were people who live in suburban counties (37.1%) and those ages 30 to 45 years (39.5%). About 75% or higher of people living in rural and urban counties, as well as those in all other age groups, responded they were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to receive a COVID-19 booster annually.

The Vaccines in Kentucky Poll was conducted Oct. 29 to Dec. 4, 2022, by the University of Cincinnati’s Institute for Policy Research and commissioned by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Researchers interviewed a random sample of 855 adults from throughout Kentucky by telephone.