The Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease has put out a timely notice about support for vaccines. Forty-five minutes before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat down for his first grilling by the Senate, the nonprofit shared survey data showing 74% of U.S. voters want FDA-approved vaccines to be widely available.
RFK Jr. has a history of questioning the safety of vaccines and alleging that there are links between childhood jabs and conditions such as autism. A 2021 survey found around 90% of primary care physicians believe vaccines are safe and effective. Scrutiny of RFK Jr.’s views has intensified since President Donald Trump nominated him as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The PFID survey suggests RFK Jr.’s skepticism is at odds with Americans on both sides of the aisle. The bipartisan survey of 1,564 registered voters nationwide revealed (PDF) public support for vaccines. More than 70% of respondents expressed favorable views toward vaccines, with 43% of people saying they view the shots very favorably. Support for childhood vaccines was around 10 percentage points higher still.
“This poll underscores a fundamental truth: protecting our health through vaccination is not a partisan issue,” Candace DeMatteis, policy director for the PFID, said in a statement. “Notably, vaccines like the ones for polio, measles and many other serious pathogens are widely regarded as vital for public health. Americans understand the benefits of vaccines in safeguarding our children and communities.”
Americans have favorable views of vaccines because they believe the benefits outweigh the risks. Almost three-quarters of people said vaccines have a favorable risk-benefit profile and that they sometimes or always get shots recommended by their doctor. Again, the number of people who get vaccines recommended by their doctor was higher among respondents with children.
Almost three-quarters of people said ensuring FDA-approved vaccines are widely available in the U.S. should be a high priority. Similar levels of people said they thought vaccines should be required for children to attend school and were concerned about falling childhood vaccination rates. Opposition to the HHS revoking vaccine approvals was similarly widespread.
Americans rely on doctors for opinions on vaccines—with 78% of people saying they give at least some weight to the views of physicians—and see long-term scientific studies and recommendations from their healthcare providers as the most trusted sources. Six percent of people surveyed said they trust what they hear on social media, where 34% of people see more posts about the risks of vaccines than the benefits.