- Massive majorities of fogeys have optimistic views of long-standing childhood vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and polio, saying these vaccines are essential for youngsters of their neighborhood to get (90% and 88%, respectively) and that they’re assured they’re secure for youngsters (84% and 85%). About eight in ten dad and mom help present state legal guidelines, saying college students ought to be required to be vaccinated towards measles and polio to attend public colleges with some exceptions (81%). These views are constant throughout partisan traces, with massive majorities of fogeys who determine as Democrats, independents, and Republicans viewing MMR and polio vaccines as secure and essential for youngsters to get and supporting insurance policies that require these vaccines in public colleges.
- Views on seasonal vaccines for flu and particularly COVID-19 are extra divided, with a lot smaller shares of fogeys expressing confidence that these vaccines are secure for youngsters (65% for flu and 43% for COVID-19) and saying they’re essential for youngsters of their neighborhood to get (56% and 43%, respectively). Dad and mom’ views on COVID-19 and flu vaccines divide alongside partisan traces, with Democratic dad and mom more likely than Republican dad and mom to carry optimistic views of each. Republican dad and mom who help the Make America Nice Once more (MAGA) motion categorical probably the most skeptical attitudes in direction of vaccines for youngsters, significantly in terms of confidence within the security of COVID-19 (14%) and flu (48%) vaccines.
- Along with partisan divisions, dad and mom beneath age 35 categorical better concern about vaccine security in contrast with dad and mom ages 35 and over, maybe a sign of shifting attitudes with youthful generations of fogeys. For instance, 4 in ten (39%) youthful dad and mom say vaccines don’t undergo sufficient security testing earlier than being beneficial for youngsters in contrast with about one-third (35%) of fogeys ages 35 to 49 and one quarter (26%) of fogeys ages 50 and older.
- Whereas a big majority of fogeys report holding their youngsters updated on vaccinations, one in six (16%) dad and mom say they’ve ever skipped or delayed at the very least one childhood vaccine aside from flu or COVID-19 immunizations. About one in 5 Republican dad and mom (22%), rising to at least one in 4 MAGA Republicans (25%), report skipping or delaying any childhood vaccines, greater than the share of Democratic (8%) dad and mom who report this. Youthful dad and mom are additionally considerably extra more likely to report skipping or delaying vaccines than older dad and mom, whatever the age of their youngsters; 19% of fogeys beneath age 35 say they’ve skipped or delayed at the very least one childhood vaccine in contrast with 12% of these age 50 and over. Most dad and mom who skip or delay vaccines cite unwanted effects and security as their prime causes, whereas few cite causes associated to a baby’s well being situation or entry to well being care.
- Earlier than his affirmation and in his function as HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has amplified claims about vaccines which were rejected by scientists and public well being officers. He has steered, with out proof, that the variety of beneficial childhood vaccines has led to an increase in continual illness within the U.S., that MMR vaccines may cause autism, and that the measles vaccine causes the sickness it prevents. Extra just lately, Kennedy has promoted Vitamin A as an efficient remedy for measles. Requested about every of those claims, many dad and mom are unsure what to imagine. Whereas about one in ten or fewer dad and mom say every declare is true and between 1 / 4 and half say every is fake, substantial shares – between 4 in ten and two-thirds – say they don’t know sufficient to say. On the extensively circulated declare that MMR vaccines may cause autism in youngsters, 9% of fogeys imagine this to be true, rising to 16% amongst dad and mom who’ve a baby with autism spectrum dysfunction.
- Six in ten dad and mom have heard little to nothing about HHS Secretary Kennedy’s latest modifications that would affect vaccine insurance policies within the U.S., whereas only one in ten (11%) have heard “loads” and one-quarter (27%) have heard “some” about these modifications. Consciousness is greater amongst older dad and mom, Democratic dad and mom, and oldsters with a university diploma. When requested how they count on these modifications to affect vaccine coverage within the U.S., dad and mom are divided, and lots of are usually not positive whether or not they may have an effect on entry to vaccines, security, or the affect of pharmaceutical firms. Democratic dad and mom are significantly extra doubtless than Republican dad and mom to say these modifications will make entry harder (52% vs. 7%) and can make childhood vaccines much less secure (40% vs. 5%). Republican dad and mom are extra doubtless than Democrats to say Kennedy’s modifications will lower pharmaceutical firms’ affect on vaccine coverage (32% vs. 11%) however most dad and mom throughout teams count on no modifications or say they’re unsure.
Dad and mom’ Views of Vaccine Security and Significance
Dad and mom overwhelmingly worth long-standing childhood vaccines however are extra divided in terms of the COVID-19 and flu vaccines for youngsters. Throughout events, massive majorities of fogeys see the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and polio vaccines as essential for youngsters of their communities and are assured of their security, however opinions on flu vaccines and particularly COVID-19 vaccines are extra combined and sharply divided alongside partisan traces.
About 9 in ten dad and mom say it is crucial for youngsters of their neighborhood to obtain vaccines for MMR (90%) and polio (88%), together with about seven in ten who say every is “crucial” (70% and 68% respectively). A smaller share, however nonetheless a majority (56%) of fogeys say it is crucial for youngsters of their neighborhood to be vaccinated towards the flu, whereas fewer than half (43%) say the identical about COVID-19, together with one in 5 who say it’s “crucial.”
Whereas massive majorities of fogeys no matter partisanship agree that the MMR and polio vaccines are essential for youngsters to get, dad and mom are divided alongside partisan traces when assessing the significance of COVID-19 and flu pictures for youngsters of their neighborhood. Democratic dad and mom are greater than 3 times as doubtless as Republican dad and mom to say it’s “very” or “considerably” essential for youngsters of their neighborhood to be vaccinated for COVID-19 (68% vs. 21%) and twice as more likely to say it is crucial for youngsters to be vaccinated for the flu (78% vs. 38%). About 4 in ten impartial dad and mom (43%) say the COVID-19 vaccine is essential for youngsters, and simply over half (55%) say the identical of the flu vaccine.
Republican dad and mom are usually not a monolith, as those that help the Make America Nice Once more (MAGA) motion are between 9 and 16 share factors much less doubtless than non-MAGA Republican dad and mom to say every of those vaccines are essential for youngsters to obtain. Even nonetheless, a majority of MAGA Republican dad and mom and non-MAGA Republican dad and mom alike say it is crucial for youngsters of their neighborhood to obtain MMR and polio vaccines.
Mirroring dad and mom’ opinions on the significance of childhood and annual vaccines, massive majorities of fogeys categorical confidence within the security of childhood vaccines for polio and MMR, whereas views on the security of flu and COVID-19 vaccines are extra divided.
Simply over eight in ten dad and mom say they’re both “very” or “considerably assured” that polio vaccines (85%) and MMR vaccines (84%) are secure for youngsters, together with about half who say they’re “very assured” (53% and 54% respectively). A smaller majority of fogeys categorical confidence within the security of flu vaccines (65%), together with about one-third who’re “very assured” (34%). About 4 in ten (43%) dad and mom are assured within the security of COVID-19 vaccines for youngsters, together with one in 5 who’re “very assured.”
Whereas majorities of fogeys throughout partisanship say they’re assured within the security of polio and MMR vaccines for youngsters, confidence within the security of annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines for youngsters differs.
At the least eight in ten dad and mom throughout partisanship say they’re least “considerably” assured within the security of MMR and polio vaccines for youngsters. About eight in ten (82%) Democratic dad and mom say they’re assured within the security of flu vaccines for youngsters, bigger than the share of Republican (55%) or impartial (64%) dad and mom who say the identical. Partisans are extra deeply divided on confidence within the COVID-19 vaccine. Seven in ten Democratic dad and mom say they’re assured within the security of COVID-19 vaccines for youngsters, greater than 3 times the share of Republicans who say the identical (70% vs. 22%). About 4 in ten (43%) impartial dad and mom say they’re assured within the security of the COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters.
The general public general and oldsters within the U.S. have been divided alongside partisan traces in terms of the COVID-19 vaccine because it grew to become obtainable in 2021, when Republican adults have been significantly hesitant to get themselves or their youngsters vaccinated, previous KFF polling finds.
The division in terms of the flu vaccine, nevertheless, is more prominent now since the pandemic, and could also be linked to considerations about vaccines typically. Whereas the newly reformed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) beneath HHS Secretary Kennedy has reaffirmed the present advice that anybody ages 6 months and older ought to obtain an annual flu vaccine, the panel recommended against vaccines containing a preservative referred to as thimerosal, which has been falsely linked to autism. This advice comes regardless of scientific proof that these vaccines are secure. Vaccines containing thimerosal comprised less than 6% of the U.S. influenza vaccine supply in 2024.
Black dad and mom and oldsters beneath age 35 are much less doubtless than different teams to say they’re assured within the security of some vaccines. For instance, simply over half (55%) of Black dad and mom say they’re assured the flu vaccines are secure for youngsters in comparison with about two-thirds of White dad and mom (64%) and 7 in ten (69%) Hispanic dad and mom. Whereas majorities throughout racial and ethnic teams categorical confidence within the security of MMR and polio vaccines, Black dad and mom are at the very least 10 share factors much less doubtless than White dad and mom and Hispanic dad and mom to precise confidence within the security of every of those vaccines.
Dad and mom beneath age 35 are additionally much less doubtless than older dad and mom – significantly these ages 50 and older – to say they’re both “very” or “considerably assured” that routine vaccines are secure for youngsters. The widest hole between youthful and older dad and mom is on confidence within the security of COVID-19 vaccines for youngsters, with just below 4 in ten (38%) dad and mom beneath age 35 expressing confidence in comparison with about half (51%) of fogeys ages 50 and older.
Dad and mom’ Views of Vaccine Security Testing, Schedule, and Spacing
In his function as HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has referred to as into query the security of vaccines, arguing that they don’t undergo sufficient security testing, together with placebo testing. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a statement making certain that childhood vaccines are “fastidiously studied, together with with placebos” to make sure security and effectiveness earlier than they’re obtainable to the general public. This ballot reveals that oldsters are divided over the query of whether or not vaccines undergo sufficient security testing earlier than being beneficial for youngsters, with many being uncertain what to imagine.
About 4 in ten (41%) dad and mom say vaccines undergo “the correct amount” of security testing within the U.S. earlier than being beneficial for youngsters by federal well being businesses, whereas about one-third (35%) say vaccines don’t undergo sufficient security testing. An extra one in 5 dad and mom categorical uncertainty, saying they don’t seem to be positive whether or not vaccines are adequately security examined. Only a few dad and mom general (3%) say vaccines undergo “an excessive amount of” security testing earlier than being beneficial for youngsters.
Simply as they differ on their confidence in security, partisans differ on whether or not they suppose there may be sufficient security testing of vaccines, with about half (48%) of Republican dad and mom saying there may be not sufficient security testing of vaccines earlier than they’re beneficial for youngsters, greater than twice the share of Democratic (20%) dad and mom who say the identical. Republican dad and mom are usually not a monolith, as those that say they help the Make America Nice Once more (MAGA) motion are extra doubtless than Republicans who do to not say there may be not sufficient testing (57% vs. 32%).
Views on the adequacy of security testing for childhood vaccines additionally differ by age, with about 4 in ten (39%) dad and mom beneath age 35 and about one-third (35%) of these ages 35 to 49 saying there may be not sufficient security testing in comparison with fewer dad and mom ages 50 and older (26%).
Earlier this summer season, Secretary Kennedy took a step in direction of altering vaccine coverage within the U.S. by firing the President Biden-appointed ACIP and rebuilding it with the objective to evaluation the present vaccine schedule for youngsters. Secretary Kennedy himself and some of the members of the new committee have raised doubts concerning the present variety of vaccines within the schedule, questioning whether or not the interactions between vaccines are secure for youngsters. Nevertheless, scientific research have proven the present vaccine schedule and getting a number of doses when age applicable to be secure.
About half (52%) of fogeys say the CDC at present recommends “about the correct amount” of childhood vaccines, whereas 1 / 4 say the CDC recommends “too many” childhood vaccines (26%). One in six dad and mom say they don’t seem to be positive (16%), and 5% say the CDC doesn’t suggest sufficient vaccines for youngsters. A bigger share of Republican dad and mom (41%) than Democratic (9%) or impartial (26%) dad and mom say the CDC recommends “too many” vaccines, rising to about half (49%) of MAGA Republicans.
The CDC’s present childhood immunization schedule is predicated on how youngsters’s immune techniques reply to vaccines at specific ages in addition to their chance of publicity to completely different ailments. The CDC advises that oldsters comply with the timing of the immunization schedule, and there’s no proof that delaying or spacing out pictures for youngsters gives higher safety or reduces critical results. Dad and mom, nevertheless, are divided on the query of whether or not childhood vaccines ought to be spaced out, with most (57%) accurately saying there is no such thing as a sturdy proof that spacing out vaccines or avoiding a number of pictures in a single go to is more healthy for youngsters, whereas 4 in ten (41%) incorrectly say that youngsters are more healthy when their vaccines are spaced out they usually don’t get a number of pictures in a single go to.
Half of Republican dad and mom and 4 in ten (42%) impartial dad and mom incorrectly say youngsters are more healthy when their vaccines are spaced out in comparison with about three in ten (28%) Democrats. About half (47%) of Black dad and mom and about 4 in ten Hispanic (42%) and White (39%) dad and mom maintain this false impression.
How Dad and mom Determine Themselves When It Involves Vaccine Views
Whereas many dad and mom categorical at the very least some degree of concern or uncertainty about vaccine security, only a few (6%) say they think about themselves “anti-vaccine.” Comparable shares of fogeys determine as both “pro-vaccine” (48%) or “someplace within the center” (45%). Six in ten Republican dad and mom (57%), together with six in ten MAGA Republicans and about half (52%) non-MAGA Republicans, say they’re “someplace within the center” in terms of vaccine attitudes. Most (70%) Democratic dad and mom say they’re “pro-vaccine.” White dad and mom usually tend to be “pro-vaccine” than Black or Hispanic dad and mom (51% v. 34% v. 43% respectively), whereas bigger shares of Black dad and mom (51%) and Hispanic dad and mom (50%) say they’re “someplace within the center.”
Whereas anti-vaccine dad and mom categorical vaccine skeptic views on different questions, and pro-vaccine dad and mom are typically accepting and assured in vaccines, dad and mom who determine as “someplace within the center” maintain combined views. For instance, few “pro-vaccine” dad and mom (17%) say childhood vaccines don’t undergo sufficient security testing in comparison with a lot bigger shares of fogeys who think about themselves anti-vaccine (64%) or someplace within the center (51%).
Skipping and Delaying Childhood Vaccines: Which Dad and mom Do It and Why?
As massive shares of fogeys categorical optimistic attitudes in direction of childhood vaccines, most dad and mom additionally report holding their youngsters updated on childhood vaccines (83%). Nevertheless, about one in six (16%) dad and mom say they’ve ever skipped or delayed at the very least one childhood vaccine for any of their youngsters (excluding seasonal vaccines like flu and COVID-19). Like vaccine attitudes, dad and mom’ choices about vaccination additionally differ alongside partisan traces. Republican dad and mom are almost 3 times as more likely to report skipping vaccinations for his or her youngsters in comparison with dad and mom who’re Democrats (22% vs. 8%). This partisan hole in dad and mom’ stories of holding youngsters’s vaccinations updated is consistent with trends KFF polls have discovered because the COVID-19 pandemic led to deepening partisan divides in vaccine attitudes amongst all adults.
Just like variations seen in some vaccine attitudes, youthful dad and mom are extra doubtless than older dad and mom to report skipping or delaying childhood vaccines. About one in 5 (19%) dad and mom beneath age 35 report skipping or delaying vaccines for his or her youngsters, whatever the age of their little one. That is bigger than the shares of fogeys ages 35 to 49 (16%) or dad and mom ages 50 and older (12%) who say the identical.
Amongst White dad and mom, spiritual beliefs play a task in childhood vaccine choices. About one in 5 (19%) White dad and mom general report skipping or delaying vaccines for his or her youngsters, rising to about one-third (36%) of White dad and mom who describe themselves as “very spiritual.” Dad and mom who homeschool their youngsters are almost 4 occasions as more likely to report skipping or delaying vaccines in comparison with dad and mom who’ve by no means homeschooled (46% vs. 12%).
About three quarters (73%) of the 6% of fogeys who describe themselves as “anti-vaccine” say they’ve skipped or delayed vaccines for his or her youngsters. The overwhelming majority (95%) of “pro-vaccine” dad and mom have saved their youngsters updated with beneficial vaccines. Whereas most dad and mom who describe themselves as “someplace within the center” on vaccines have saved their youngsters updated (78%), about one in 5 (22%) of those dad and mom say they’ve ever skipped or delayed a childhood vaccine for his or her children.
When requested which particular childhood vaccines they’ve skipped or delayed, comparable shares of fogeys report skipping or delaying the MMR vaccine (4% skipped, 5% delayed), DTaP (4% skipped and 5% delayed), hepatitis B (5% skipped and 4% delayed), chickenpox (4% skipped and 4% delayed), and polio (3% skipped and 4% delayed) vaccines. Whereas simply 6% of fogeys say they’ve skipped or delayed all of the vaccines requested about on this ballot, one in ten (10%) say they’ve skipped or delayed at the very least 2 childhood vaccines for his or her youngsters, and eight% have skipped or delayed at the very least three. Total, 8% of fogeys report delaying at the very least considered one of these vaccines, whereas 7% report forgoing at the very least one vaccine totally.
Dad and mom’ causes for skipping or delaying vaccines for their very own youngsters mirror most of the basic considerations and uncertainty expressed by dad and mom general. About two-thirds (67%) of fogeys who skipped or delayed vaccines for his or her little one say considerations about unwanted effects have been a “main purpose” for his or her determination. About half of those dad and mom say not trusting that vaccines are secure (53%) or not pondering all of the beneficial vaccines are vital (51%) are main causes they skipped or delayed their little one’s vaccines.
About 4 in ten (42%) dad and mom who skipped or delayed vaccines for his or her little one say not wanting their little one to get a number of pictures without delay was the key purpose, adopted by about one-third (34%) who say they skipped or delayed vaccines as a result of they’ll preserve their little one wholesome in different methods with out vaccines. About one in ten dad and mom who skipped or delayed vaccines say the key purpose was that their little one is afraid of needles (10%) or their physician didn’t suggest vaccination (9%).
Few vaccine-skipping dad and mom cite entry causes, reminiscent of not having time or not having the ability to get an appointment (9%) or that the price was too excessive (5%). One in eight (13%) dad and mom say a significant purpose they skipped or delayed vaccines for his or her little one was that their little one has a well being situation, whereas one in eight (13%) say this was a minor purpose and almost three in 4 (72%) dad and mom who skipped vaccines say a medical situation was not a purpose for skipping vaccines for his or her little one.
Half of fogeys who delayed or skipped vaccines for his or her youngsters say their little one’s well being care supplier was supportive of their determination (49%), whereas one in 5 say their physician was not supportive (23%) and about one in 4 (27%) say they didn’t focus on the choice with a well being care supplier. Comparable shares of fogeys throughout age teams and with youngsters in several age cohorts say their physician was supportive of their determination to delay or skip vaccines.
Some dad and mom could also be self-selecting pediatricians who align with their vaccine views. One in 4 dad and mom who’ve skipped or delayed vaccines for his or her youngsters say they’ve ever modified or tried to alter their little one’s supplier as a result of supplier’s views on vaccines. Few (3%) dad and mom who preserve their youngsters updated on vaccines say the identical.
Few dad and mom report feeling pressured by friends or medical doctors to vaccinate their youngsters, although those that have skipped or delayed vaccines usually tend to report feeling strain. About one in 4 (23%) dad and mom general say they’ve felt unfairly pressured by authorities well being businesses to vaccinate their youngsters, rising to about half (49%) amongst dad and mom who’ve skipped or delayed vaccines. Smaller shares say they’ve felt strain from a well being care supplier (16% general, 44% amongst dad and mom who skipped or delayed vaccines), their little one’s college or daycare (14% general, 32% amongst dad and mom who skipped or delayed vaccines), pals or household (10% general, 24% amongst dad and mom who skipped or delayed vaccines), or different dad and mom (10% general, 26% amongst dad and mom who skipped or delayed vaccines). Few dad and mom who report holding their youngsters updated on vaccines report feeling strain from these sources.
The Function of Faculties
At the moment, all 50 states and D.C. have state laws that require youngsters beginning college to be vaccinated towards MMR and polio on the federally beneficial ages, although Florida has announced that the state will finish all vaccine mandates, together with for college youngsters. Whereas there is no such thing as a federal legislation concerning childhood vaccinations, suggestions about college necessities are issued by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Every state has its personal legal guidelines figuring out college vaccination necessities, including policies for exemptions. Whereas all states permit for medical exemptions from college vaccine necessities, some states moreover permit for spiritual or different personal-belief exemptions.
Total, dad and mom largely help these insurance policies, with about eight in ten (81%) dad and mom saying public colleges ought to require vaccines for measles and polio with some exceptions, whereas about one in 5 (18%) say public colleges mustn’t require measles and polio vaccines for any college students. Whereas Republican dad and mom and independents are every extra doubtless than Democrats to say public colleges mustn’t require these vaccines, majorities throughout these teams nonetheless help such necessities.
Eight p.c of fogeys general, together with about one in 4 (27%) of those that have skipped or delayed vaccines, say they’ve utilized for an exemption so their little one may attend college or daycare with out receiving required vaccines. The commonest sort of exemption is for private causes, reported by 4% of fogeys general and one in 5 dad and mom who’ve skipped or delayed any vaccinations for his or her youngsters. Spiritual causes for exemption are cited by 4% of fogeys general, and one in six (16%) dad and mom who’ve skipped or delayed vaccinations for his or her youngsters. Medical exemptions are least widespread, reported by 3% of fogeys general and one in ten (11%) dad and mom who’ve skipped vaccines for his or her youngsters.
About two-thirds (64%) of fogeys who utilized say their exemption was accredited, whereas 36% say it was denied. Amongst all dad and mom, 5% say they utilized for an exemption, and it was granted and three% say they utilized and have been denied. In a policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) “advocates for the elimination of nonmedical exemption from immunizations” citing their function in growing the chance of measles and different vaccine preventable illness outbreaks.
One in 5 dad and mom of youngsters ages 6-17, together with 4 in ten (42%) of those that have skipped or delayed vaccinations, say they’ve homeschooled their little one for causes aside from the COVID-19 college shutdowns. In line with earlier polling on homeschooling by The Washington Post, vaccine necessities don’t look like the primary motivation for homeschooling for many dad and mom. Three in ten homeschool dad and mom say college vaccine necessities have been a significant (14%) or minor (16%) purpose for homeschooling their little one, whereas seven in ten (69%) say college vaccine insurance policies weren’t a purpose. One in 5 dad and mom who at present or beforehand homeschooled their youngsters say they utilized for a college vaccine exemption in some unspecified time in the future.
Dad and mom’ Views of the HPV Vaccine
Launched in 2006, vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention have been the supply of some controversy. HPV is a sexually transmitted an infection (STI) that may trigger cervical most cancers and different cancers. The HPV vaccines obtainable within the U.S. have been clinically confirmed to be safe and effective at preventing HPV-related infections and cancers. Youngsters could be vaccinated for HPV as younger as 9 in some states, although the CDC recommends routine vaccination towards HPV between ages 11 and 15. Whereas well being consultants broadly suggest the vaccine for adolescents and youngsters earlier than an publicity to HPV, its connection to STIs has fueled debate over whether or not it ought to be given to youngsters. About two-thirds of fogeys (64%) say they’ve heard “loads” (22%) or “some” (41%) of the vaccine that stops HPV, together with comparable shares of fogeys of ladies and boys.
About six in ten (62%) dad and mom of youngsters ages 9 and older say their little one has already acquired the HPV vaccine, or they in all probability or positively will get it. This rises to about seven in ten (69%) amongst dad and mom who’ve saved all their youngsters updated on different childhood vaccines. As with vaccine uptake for different childhood vaccines, Democratic dad and mom (76%) usually tend to say their little one will get or has gotten vaccinated towards HPV, although half (51%) of Republican dad and mom of eligible youngsters say the identical. About six in ten (62%) impartial dad and mom say they’ve gotten their little one vaccinated towards HPV or plan to take action. Comparable shares of fogeys of girls and boys say they’ve gotten or will get their older youngsters vaccinated.
Amongst dad and mom of youngsters beneath age 9 who are usually not but eligible for HPV vaccination, about six in ten say they may positively (29%) or in all probability (29%) get their little one vaccinated towards HPV, whereas one in 5 say they in all probability (9%) or positively (10%) won’t vaccinate their little one. One in 5 (22%) are usually not positive. Bigger shares of Democratic dad and mom (79%) and oldsters who haven’t skipped any childhood vaccines for his or her youngsters (66%) say they may in all probability or positively get their youngsters vaccinated towards HPV when they’re eligible, in contrast with about 4 in ten (42%) Republican dad and mom and one in 5 (19%) of those that have skipped or delayed childhood vaccines.
In Their Personal Phrases: Why do you suppose you’ll not get your little one vaccinated towards HPV?
In a comply with up query, dad and mom who stated they “in all probability” or “positively” wouldn’t get their little one vaccinated towards HPV advised us why that’s. Many provided responses associated to considerations concerning the HPV vaccine being related to unsafe sexual conduct and didn’t see a necessity to present that to their youngsters, in addition to anecdotes of unwanted effects.
“Dangers outweigh the advantages. It is a illness attributable to a virus you get as a consequence of unwise conduct.” – Republican dad or mum of a teenage boy and lady, age 51, Wisconsin
“They shouldn’t be partaking in sexual exercise till marriage, they usually explicitly perceive the dangers with out the vaccine, and naturally, the sinful nature.” – Impartial dad or mum of a pre-teen lady, age 34, Pennsylvania
“[I] know somebody who had a vaccine damage from the vaccine and since it’s a newer vaccine uncertain of effectiveness and threat of long-term issues.” – Republican dad or mum of a teenage lady, age 38, Louisiana
“Youngsters shouldn’t be having a sexual relationship and being uncovered to illness.” – Republican dad or mum of a teenage boy, age 54, Pennsylvania
“I’ve personally recognized a number of folks with severely hostile well being results immediately attributable to that vaccine. It additionally sends a message to our kids that we count on them to be sexually immoral. It seems to have been extra of a cash seize than an truly helpful vaccine.” – Impartial dad or mum of a teenage boy, age 43, Florida
“I’ve seen combined details about the vaccine not simply from dad and mom. I wish to do additional analysis concerning the potential hostile results and advantages earlier than making a call.” – Democratic dad or mum of pre-teen women, age 41, Texas
Perception in False and Deceptive Claims About Measles and Vaccines
Earlier than his affirmation and in his function as HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has amplified claims about vaccines which were rejected by scientists and public well being officers. Together with firing and reassembling the ACIP, Kennedy has stated he’ll examine the childhood vaccination schedule, suggesting with out proof that the variety of beneficial childhood vaccines has led to a rise in chronic disease in the U.S. Kennedy has additionally repeated false claims that vaccines, together with MMR, can cause autism and that the measles vaccine causes the illness it prevents. Extra just lately, Kennedy has promoted Vitamin A as an effective treatment for measles, regardless of public well being consultants’ warning that dietary supplements can not substitute for vaccination.
Comparatively few dad and mom suppose false or deceptive claims about vaccines and measles are true, however many are unsure, with at the very least 4 in ten saying they have no idea sufficient to say. On the identical time, the share who say these false claims are true is greater amongst Republican dad and mom, significantly those that determine as supporters of the Make America Nice Once more (MAGA) motion.
Total, few dad and mom say they suppose it’s true that continual ailments are rising due to a rise within the variety of vaccines youngsters get (13%), that MMR vaccines may cause autism in youngsters (9%), that the measles vaccine causes the identical sickness it’s supposed to forestall (8%), or that vitamin A is an efficient remedy for measles (6%). For every of declare associated to vaccines, between 4 in ten and half say they’re false, together with that the measles vaccines trigger the identical sickness they’re supposed to forestall (49%), that continual illness are doubtless rising as a consequence of a rise within the variety of childhood vaccines (45%), or that MMR vaccines may cause autism in youngsters (42%). Assessing the false declare that Vitamin A is an efficient remedy for measles, about one in 4 accurately say it’s false (27%), whereas two-thirds (66%) say they have no idea sufficient to say.
Republican dad and mom are about twice as doubtless as Democratic dad and mom to imagine that continual ailments are rising due to a rise within the variety of vaccines youngsters get (18% v. 7%) and that the MMR vaccines may cause autism in youngsters (13% v. 5%). Perception in every of the three claims associated to vaccines and measles is greater amongst dad and mom who’re MAGA Republicans in comparison with non-MAGA Republicans; nonetheless, most MAGA supporters both categorical uncertainty or say these claims are false.
Dad and mom who say they skipped or delayed beneficial vaccines for his or her youngsters are much more doubtless than those that have saved their youngsters updated to imagine these myths.
The declare linking MMR vaccines to autism is one which has a protracted historical past, and previous KFF polling has discovered many dad and mom are unsure concerning the details round autism and vaccines. The ballot finds that oldsters who say their little one has been identified with autism spectrum dysfunction are extra doubtless than these whose youngsters have to not say it’s true that MMR vaccines may cause autism in youngsters (16% v. 9%). About one-third (37%) of fogeys of youngsters identified with autism say they have no idea sufficient to reply.
Confidence in Federal Well being Companies and Adjustments to Vaccine Coverage
Amid criticism of federal well being businesses, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was appointed HHS Secretary, and stated his precedence was to strengthen the agencies’ independence and base decisions on scientific evidence. Six months into his time period as Secretary, dad and mom’ confidence in federal well being businesses to hold out a few of their core features is combined.
About half (49%) of fogeys say they’ve “loads” or “some confidence” in authorities well being businesses just like the CDC and FDA to make sure the security and effectiveness of vaccines. Fewer than half categorical confidence in these businesses to make choices primarily based on science reasonably than the views of company officers (40%) or to behave independently with out interference from outdoors pursuits (35%).
Republican dad and mom are much less doubtless than Democratic dad and mom to precise confidence in authorities well being businesses to make sure the security and effectiveness of vaccines (41% v. 60%), make choices primarily based on science reasonably than the views of company officers (35% v. 48%), or to behave independently with out outdoors interference (30% v. 40%).
Even amongst dad and mom who’re ostensibly among the many present administration’s most ardent supporters (Republicans who say they help the MAGA motion), fewer than half categorical at the very least some confidence in federal authorities well being businesses to make sure the security and effectiveness of vaccines, make choices primarily based on science, or act independently.
Dad and mom beneath age 50, who usually tend to categorical vaccine-skeptical attitudes and to report skipping or delaying vaccines for his or her youngsters, are much less doubtless than older dad and mom to precise confidence in authorities well being businesses to make sure vaccine security and effectiveness and to behave independently with out outdoors pursuits.
Since his appointment as Secretary of Well being and Human Companies, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made a number of modifications to U.S. vaccine coverage, together with changing the ACIP, eradicating COVID-19 vaccine suggestions for wholesome youngsters, and cancelling funding for mRNA vaccine analysis. This survey, fielded late July to early August 2025, finds that fewer than half of fogeys have heard about these modifications.
About 4 in ten (38%) dad and mom have heard “loads” (11%) or “some” (27%) about latest modifications Kennedy has made that would have an effect on vaccine insurance policies within the U.S., whereas about one in 4 (27%) have heard “just a little” and one-third (34%) have heard “nothing in any respect.” Dad and mom with a university diploma (49%) and Democrats (49%) are extra doubtless than their counterparts to say they’ve heard at the very least “some” about these latest modifications.
Relating to expectations of the affect of those modifications, dad and mom are cut up alongside occasion traces. One in six dad and mom (16%) say the modifications made by Kennedy will make childhood vaccines safer, about one in 5 (18%) say the modifications will make childhood vaccines much less secure, and a further one in 5 say these modifications won’t make a distinction (22%). The biggest share of fogeys, greater than 4 in ten (44%), say they don’t seem to be positive how these modifications will affect security.
Partisans are cut up, with about three in ten (29%) Republican dad and mom, rising to just about 4 in ten (38%) MAGA Republicans, saying these modifications will make childhood vaccines safer, in comparison with 4% of Democratic dad and mom. 4 in ten Democratic dad and mom and 5% of Republican dad and mom say the modifications will make vaccines much less secure. About one in 5 dad and mom throughout partisans say the modifications won’t make a distinction, and at the very least one-third say they don’t seem to be positive.
Fewer than one in ten (8%) dad and mom say that modifications made by Kennedy will make it simpler for folks to entry vaccines for his or her youngsters, about one in 4 (24%) say these modifications will make it harder, and about one in 4 say it won’t make a distinction (23%). The biggest share (44%) say they don’t seem to be positive.
Once more, partisans are cut up, with half of Democratic dad and mom (52%) saying Kennedy’s modifications will make it harder to entry vaccines. Most Republican dad and mom say Kennedy’s modifications won’t make a distinction in entry to childhood vaccines (33%) or that they don’t seem to be positive (46%).
Secretary Kennedy has promised radical transparency and a lower within the pharmaceutical trade’s affect on U.S. vaccine coverage, but about half (51%) of fogeys are uncertain whether or not Kennedy’s insurance policies will obtain this decreased affect. One in 5 (20%) say Kennedy’s modifications will lower pharmaceutical firm affect in U.S. vaccine coverage, about one in ten (11%) say they may improve affect, and one in six (17%) dad and mom say it received’t make a distinction.
Half of Republicans (47%) and Democrats (50%) say they don’t seem to be positive if Kennedy’s modifications will improve or lower pharmaceutical firm affect in U.S. vaccine coverage. One-third (32%) of Republicans count on the modifications to lower pharmaceutical firm affect, whereas one in 5 Democrats say it can both improve (18%), or won’t make a distinction (20%).
