Key Findings
- Amid ongoing information from federal companies about altering COVID-19 vaccine suggestions, the alternative of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee members (ACIP), and re-examination of the federal childhood vaccine schedule, there may be confusion among the many public about U.S. vaccine coverage. Whereas half of the general public thinks Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made “main” (26%) or “minor” (26%) adjustments to vaccine coverage within the U.S., the opposite half both say they “don’t know sufficient to say” (40%) or say no adjustments have been made (7%). No less than three in ten adults throughout demographic teams and social gathering identification say they don’t know sufficient concerning the current adjustments from Kennedy to vaccine coverage to explain them. As well as, half (48%) of fogeys usually are not positive if federal well being companies are presently recommending that wholesome kids obtain a COVID-19 vaccine this fall or not.
- As soon as advised concerning the adjustments to U.S. vaccine coverage, the general public is split by partisanship in whether or not they suppose these adjustments will make folks safer or much less protected. About two in ten adults, together with 41% of Republicans, suppose these adjustments will make folks safer whereas about one-third of adults, together with most Democrats (62%) and 4 in ten independents (41%) say they may make folks much less protected. One other third of adults (31%) say they “don’t know sufficient to say” as as to whether the current adjustments to U.S. vaccine coverage will make folks safer or not, and about one in ten say the adjustments received’t make a distinction.
- A lot of the public (59%) say they may both “undoubtedly not” or “in all probability not” get the COVID-19 vaccine this fall – together with about six in ten Republicans who say they may “undoubtedly not” get the vaccine. Older adults and Democrats are more likely to report that they may get the COVID-19 vaccine. About 4 in ten Black adults and Hispanic adults say they plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine as do 37% of White adults.
- With many of the public reporting that they may not get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall, few are apprehensive concerning the availability of the vaccine or whether or not will probably be coated by insurance coverage. One-third (33%) of adults are involved that COVID-19 vaccines received’t be obtainable to them this fall, whereas a 3rd (34%) of insured adults are additionally apprehensive that their insurance coverage received’t cowl a shot. Concern about availability and protection are tied to vaccine intention, with those that plan to get the vaccine more likely to be involved that it may not be obtainable to them (66%), together with particular demographic teams who usually tend to get vaccinated reminiscent of older adults and Democrats.
- Private medical doctors or well being care suppliers stay essentially the most trusted supply for details about vaccines amongst requested sources, with eight in ten (83%) adults who say they belief their very own physician at the least “a good quantity.” Smaller shares of the general public, however nonetheless majorities belief their native public well being division and the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, or CDC, to offer info on vaccines, although the share who say so has been steadily in decline since September 2023. Fewer proceed to say they belief HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to offer info on vaccines, with about 4 in ten (37%) saying they belief him at the least a good quantity, unchanged since his appointment in April of this 12 months.
- About half of the general public believe in companies just like the CDC and Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) to make sure the security and effectiveness of vaccines accepted to be used within the U.S. (49%), whereas lower than half say they’ve at the least some confidence within the companies to make choices based mostly on science moderately than the private views of company officers (42%), or act independently, with out interference from outdoors pursuits (37%). Democrats proceed to be extra assured in federal well being companies than Republicans to make sure the security and effectiveness of vaccines.
Consciousness of Adjustments to Vaccine Coverage
Since his appointment as Secretary of Well being and Human Providers, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made several headlines about altering vaccine suggestions, leaving many confused concerning the scope of adjustments to U.S. vaccine coverage and uncertain of how these adjustments may have an effect on folks.
About half (52%) of the general public are conscious that RFK Jr. has made adjustments to U.S. vaccine coverage, with a couple of quarter describing them as “main adjustments” (26%) or “minor adjustments” (26%). 4 in ten adults say they don’t know sufficient concerning the adjustments to say whether or not they’re “main” or “minor.” As well as, one other 7% are unaware that adjustments have been made.
Whether or not the general public views the adjustments as “main” or “minor” is essentially partisan, with Democrats extra more likely to say they’re “main” adjustments whereas Republicans describe them as “minor” adjustments. About 4 in ten (39%) Democrats say the adjustments which have been made to U.S. vaccine coverage are “main,” in comparison with 1 / 4 (25%) of independents and one in six (16%) Republicans. Almost 4 in ten Republicans describe the adjustments as “minor,” in comparison with 1 / 4 of independents and 18% of Democrats.
Younger adults and people and not using a faculty diploma usually tend to report that they don’t know sufficient concerning the situation to say whether or not or not the Secretary of HHS has made adjustments to vaccine coverage. About half of these ages 18-29 (47%) and people and not using a faculty diploma (45%) report that don’t know sufficient to say about adjustments to vaccine coverage, in comparison with smaller shares of older adults and people with a school diploma or larger.
With RFK, Jr. focusing consideration on the childhood vaccine schedule, about half of fogeys are conscious that adjustments have been made however the different half of fogeys are both unaware that adjustments have been made (9%) or report they don’t know sufficient to say (39%). Much like all adults, how mother and father described the scope of the adjustments is essentially partisan with Democratic-leaning mother and father describing them as main adjustments, and Republican-leaning mother and father describing them as minor adjustments.
In gentle of the current adjustments to coverage, a 3rd (36%) of the general public say the adjustments that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made to vaccine coverage will make folks much less protected whereas a smaller share (20%) say the adjustments to vaccine coverage will make folks safer. Much like general consciousness of the adjustments, a considerable share (31%) say they don’t know sufficient concerning the current adjustments to say whether or not they may make folks safer or much less protected. A further one in ten (13%) say the adjustments won’t make any distinction.
As soon as once more, views are largely partisan, together with amongst mother and father. Pluralities of Democrats and independents say the adjustments RFK Jr. has made to vaccine coverage will make folks much less protected, together with six in ten (62%) Democrats and 4 in ten (41%) independents. Nonetheless, Republicans are cut up, with comparable shares who say the coverage makes folks safer (41%) and that they don’t know sufficient to say (34%).
Mother and father are additionally cut up, with a 3rd (32%) who don’t know sufficient to say and three in ten (29%) who say these adjustments will make folks much less protected. One other quarter (22%) of fogeys say it’ll make folks safer, whereas one in six (17%) say it received’t make a distinction. Mother and father who’re Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents usually tend to say the adjustments will make folks much less protected, whereas Republican-leaning mother and father usually tend to say the adjustments will make folks safer.
The Fall 2025 COVID-19 Vaccines
Total, many of the public (59%) say they may both “undoubtedly not” or “in all probability not” get the COVID-19 vaccine this fall. KFF has been tracking uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine since early 2021. Older adults and Democrats are more likely to report that they may get the COVID-19 vaccine, whereas six in ten Republicans (59%) say they may “undoubtedly not” get the COVID-19 vaccine. Related shares throughout race and ethnicity say they plan to get the vaccine this fall, however notably White adults are the most certainly to be in opposition to getting the vaccine, with 4 in ten (42%) saying they may “undoubtedly not” get the vaccine.
Views of the adjustments to U.S. vaccine coverage additionally fluctuate by vaccine intention. Those that say they may “undoubtedly” or “in all probability” get the shot usually tend to say they suppose the adjustments to U.S. vaccine coverage are “main adjustments” and these adjustments will make folks much less protected.
Few Are Anxious About Availability of Vaccines
With the Trump administration instituting doable adjustments to vaccine suggestions, together with the COVID-19 vaccine, and protection of vaccines largely tied to suggestions from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Observe (ACIP) or the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), those that desire a COVID-19 vaccine are apprehensive about having the ability to entry the vaccine.
With lower than half of adults saying they plan to get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall, simply one-third (33%) of all adults are “very” or “considerably” involved that COVID-19 vaccines received’t be obtainable to them this fall. Most adults (67%) say they’re “not too” or “under no circumstances” involved concerning the availability of the vaccine. Equally, amongst those that have insurance coverage, a 3rd (34%) are “very” or “considerably” involved that their insurance coverage received’t cowl a COVID-19 vaccine this fall, whereas two-thirds (65%) are “not too” or “under no circumstances” involved.
Those that plan to get the vaccine are more likely to be involved that it may not be obtainable to them. Amongst those that say they’ll “undoubtedly” or “in all probability” get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall, two-thirds (66%) are involved that the vaccine received’t be obtainable to them, whereas six in ten (62%) of insured adults who will possible get a vaccine this fall are involved their insurance coverage received’t cowl it. Predictably, nearly one in ten of those that possible received’t get the vaccine are involved about availability (11%) or insurance coverage protection (14%).
Teams which might be extra more likely to say they plan on getting the COVID-19 vaccine are predictably extra involved about each the provision of the vaccine and whether or not their insurance coverage would pay for it. Over half (56%) of Democrats are involved concerning the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine or insurance coverage protection (53%), in comparison with below 4 in ten independents and one in ten Republicans apprehensive about availability or protection.
As well as, people who find themselves ages 50 and older are extra involved than youthful adults that the vaccine received’t be obtainable to them, although majorities nonetheless report they don’t seem to be involved, with about 4 in ten of older adults who’re involved about each availability and insurance coverage protection, in comparison with a couple of quarter of these below the age of fifty.
Black adults and Hispanic adults are among the many most involved concerning the availability and insurance coverage protection of the COVID-19 vaccine, with half of Black adults involved about availability (48%) and insurance coverage protection (46%), and half (47%) of Hispanic adults involved about insurance coverage protection, in comparison with smaller shares of White adults involved about both merchandise.
Half (48%) of fogeys say they don’t seem to be positive if federal well being companies are presently recommending that wholesome kids obtain a COVID-19 vaccine this fall. At the moment, the CDC is recommending that choices across the COVID-19 vaccine for wholesome kids ages 6 months to 17 years must be between the well being care supplier and the affected person or their mother and father, with no formal advice from the CDC. This comes after RFK, Jr. introduced that the COVID-19 vaccine is not being recommended for this group.
Two in ten (21%) mother and father imagine the COVID-19 vaccines are being beneficial, whereas three in ten (31%) say COVID-19 vaccines usually are not being beneficial for wholesome kids this fall. That is comparable throughout partisans, with half of fogeys no matter social gathering identification saying they don’t know sufficient to say, and about three in ten Republican and Republican-leaning impartial mother and father (31%) and Democratic and Democratic-leaning impartial mother and father (35%) conscious that the CDC is not recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for wholesome kids this fall.
Belief in Sources to Present Vaccine Data
Private medical doctors or well being care suppliers stay essentially the most trusted supply for details about vaccines, with eight in ten (83%) adults saying they belief their physician “an excellent deal” or “a good quantity” to offer dependable details about vaccines. Smaller shares of the general public, however nonetheless majorities, belief their native public well being division (62%) and the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, or CDC (57%), to offer info on vaccines. 4 in ten belief their state authorities officers (43%). HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to be the least trusted supply of knowledge on vaccines with simply over one-third of adults (37%) saying they belief him at the least a good quantity.
People’ medical doctors or well being care suppliers additionally garner the very best shares of belief throughout partisans, with at the least eight in ten Democrats (92%), independents (85%), and Republicans (80%) who belief them “an excellent deal” or “a good quantity” to offer vaccine info. Notably, Republicans’ subsequent trusted supply behind their very own private physician is RFK Jr., with seven in ten Republicans saying they belief him to offer dependable info on vaccines, in comparison with three in ten independents and one in ten (11%) Democrats.
Democrats are extra trusting of vaccine info from well being companies than independents or Republicans, with three-quarters (77%) of Democrats saying they belief their native public well being division to offer dependable info on vaccines, in comparison with two-thirds (63%) of independents, and half (53%) of Republicans. Equally, one other seven in ten (72%) Democrats belief the CDC in comparison with six in ten (61%) independents and just below half (44%) of Republicans. These partisan divides in belief are in line with findings from previous KFF polling.
Republicans or Republican-leaning independents who help the MAGA motion are persistently much less trusting of sources of details about vaccines than non-MAGA Republicans and leaners, with considerably fewer who say they belief their native public well being division, the CDC, and their state authorities officers. Related shares say they belief their private medical doctors “an excellent deal” or “a good quantity,” however bigger shares of MAGA Republicans belief RFK Jr. to offer info on vaccines (77% vs. 48% of non-MAGA Republicans).
The most recent polling reveals that general belief in authorities companies, just like the CDC or folks’s native public well being departments, to offer dependable info on vaccines is continuous a downward pattern since first requested in September 2023. The share of adults who say they belief both the CDC or their native public well being division has dropped six share factors, whereas the share who belief their very own supplier has stayed comparatively steady.
At the same time as majorities of the general public specific belief in authorities well being companies, just like the CDC, to offer info on vaccines, few believe in companies just like the CDC and FDA to hold out lots of their obligations, together with making certain the security and effectiveness of vaccines accepted to be used within the U.S. (49%), making choices based mostly on science moderately than the private views of company officers (42%), or appearing independently, with out interference from outdoors pursuits (37%). Fewer than one in 5 adults say they’ve “so much” of confidence in these companies to meet every of those duties.
Even supposing Trump administration appointees lead these federal well being companies, bigger shares of Democrats than Republicans have at the least “some” confidence in authorities well being companies to make sure the security and effectiveness of vaccines accepted to be used within the U.S. About six in ten (58%) Democrats say they’re assured in these companies to make sure the security and effectiveness of vaccines, in comparison with lower than half (45%) of Republicans who agree.
Related shares of Democrats (41%), independents (42%), and Republicans (46%) believe within the authorities to make choices based mostly on science moderately than private views of company officers, and comparable shares of Democrats (41%) and Republicans (41%) are assured within the federal well being companies to behave independently, with out interference from outdoors pursuits. A smaller share of independents – a couple of third (32%) – say the identical about companies’ skill to behave independently.
