Only 23% of American adults plan to get the new COVID shot.

Only 23% of American adults plan to get the new COVID shot.

Only 23% of American Adults “Definitely” Plan to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Just 23% of American adults say they “definitely” plan to get the new COVID-19 vaccine, according to a poll conducted by the nonprofit organization KFF. Another 23% say they will “probably” get it. The survey also found that interest in the vaccine falls along partisan lines, highlighting the continuing divisions in public opinion regarding vaccination.

While fewer than half of Americans (46%) say they will “definitely” or “probably” get the COVID-19 vaccine, the percentage is higher than for previous boosters. However, it is still lower than those who initially received the vaccines in 2020.

Interest in the COVID-19 vaccine is highest among those 65 and older (64%), and among Democrats (70%). However, only 24% of Republicans plan to get the shot. This partisan gap reflects a lack of trust in the nation’s regulatory and scientific agencies responsible for vaccine approval and guidance.

Parents also have some hesitation about getting the vaccine for their children, with more than half saying they probably or definitely won’t get their children boosted. About 39% of parents plan to get their 12- to 17-year-olds boosted, while the percentage decreases to 36% for children aged 5 to 11, and 34% for children between 6 months and 4 years.

In contrast, more people plan to get seasonal flu shots and the new vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to help prevent severe symptoms. About 58% of adults had already received a flu shot or expected to get it, and approximately 60% of those aged 60 and above said they had already received or expected to get the new RSV vaccine.

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The survey conducted by KFF further revealed partisan differences in vaccine attitudes. Democrats show a higher interest in getting flu and RSV shots, with 76% having already received a flu shot compared to 51% of Republicans. Among those 60 and older, the gap for getting the RSV shot was even higher, at 38 points.

Confidence in the safety of vaccines also follows party lines, with only 36% of Republicans expressing confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine compared to 84% of Democrats.

Trust in public health agencies also demonstrates this partisan divide. While 63% of Americans trust the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including 88% of Democrats, only 40% of Republicans express trust in the agency. Overall, 61% trust the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with 86% of Democrats and 44% of Republicans placing their trust in the agency.

Additionally, there are partisan differences in perceptions of health threats and precautions, such as wearing masks or avoiding large public gatherings, as well as in getting tested for COVID-19.

Despite these divisions, people on both sides of the political aisle express trust in their own doctors, including their children’s pediatricians. This indicates that the influence of personal healthcare providers still holds significant weight in shaping individuals’ health decisions.

Although there are disagreements and varying levels of hesitancy when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination, it is worth noting that higher percentages of people support vaccination against other diseases. For example, 68% of all adults and 55% of parents believe that healthy children should be required to be vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella to attend public schools.

These findings emphasize the ongoing challenges faced by public health agencies in building trust and encouraging vaccination uptake among the general population. It is crucial for health authorities to address the concerns and misconceptions raised by different groups to ensure the success of vaccination efforts. By fostering open and inclusive dialogue, healthcare professionals have an opportunity to bridge the partisan divide and promote public health for all.