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New Poll Shows COVID-19 Pandemic Changed Survey Takers’ Perspectives on Vaccinations
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Key Takeaways
- 44% of Americans have altered their vaccine views recently, influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Personal disease experiences and local outbreaks are major motivators for vaccination decisions.
The poll also showed that social media and general media coverage influenced about 33% of participants to not get vaccinated.
Approximately 44% of US individuals report that their views on vaccines have changed within the past 5 years, according to survey results from a HealthDay/Harris poll. More specifically, this population is somewhat split between becoming more supportive (25%) and less supportive (19%), with the COVID-19 pandemic being the survey takers’ reason for their changed perspectives.1
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The HealthDay/Harris poll, which was conducted online from February 28, 2025, to March 4, 2025, evaluated responses from a diverse population of 2092 US adults on their opinions on vaccines as well as what encourages or discourages them from getting vaccinated. The survey indicated that the main factor that motivated participants to get vaccinated was their own personal experience with the disease. Additionally, about 67% noted that local disease outbreaks—for example, the current measles outbreak in Texas2—or new disease variants also are significant influences on their decisions.1,3,4
With vaccine hesitancy becoming a topic of conversation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC’s decision to investigate the link between vaccinations and autism spectrum disorder (despite decades of prior research that demonstrates there is no link)5, and the current measles outbreak2, there is a growing need to understand vaccine hesitancy, as well as what factors may contribute to it, and vaccine uptake in general. In a HealthDay/Harris interview, Peter Jay Hotez, MD, PhD, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, explained that although there is a vaccination “catch-up campaign” in the midst of outbreaks, he is hesitant for that to be relied on as a long-term approach to improving immunization uptake.3,4
“…there certainly is [value to studying vaccine hesitancy] because I don't think we really fully understand all of the social determinants of [it]. And the problem is, it's vaccine hesitancy is now a lethal force in America,” Hotez explained in a HealthDay/Harris interview. “And now, of course, it's spilling over to childhood immunizations. Where I am right now, in Texas, we're enduring a horrific measles epidemic with 40 kids in the hospital and 1 pediatric death [as of this interview]. And so, this is an important cause of illness and serious illness, hospitalization, even death in America right now. So, it's important to study.”3,4
Positively, health care professionals remain the primary resource (90%) and largest influence on survey takers’ decision-making (70%).1,3 National agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health or the CDC, are also reported as surveyors’ main source of vaccination information (38%), and 44% feel that the federal government should be responsible for infectious disease-related public health policies.4
Hotez warns of influencers, misinformation, and disinformation on social media, which can negatively influence individuals’ decisions. Interestingly, social media and general media coverage of infectious disease outbreaks have made survey takers more likely (54%) to get vaccinated1, whereas about 33% of participants noted it encourages them to not get vaccinated. Alternatively, 14% reported that outside entities should not be involved in vaccine decisions, and instead, they should be left up to each individual person.3,4
“…that would be good news, of course, if people could rely more on their health care providers because I think that...that's probably one of our best hopes is a trusted messenger,” noted Hotez in the interview. “It may not be sufficient, but it's certainly the right direction.”3,4
REFERENCES
1. Newswise. HealthDay Harris Poll Exclusive Vaccine Attitudes Survey + Interview w/ Dr. Peter Hotez (March 28, 1 PM ET). News release. March 28, 2025. Accessed April 4, 2025. https://www.newswise.com/articles/healthday-harris-poll-exclusive-vaccine-attitudes-survey-interview-w-dr-peter-hotez-march-28-1-pm-et
2. Gerlach A. As the Measles Outbreak Continues to Spread, Texas Hospitals Report Cases of Vitamin A Toxicity. Pharmacy Times. April 1, 2025. Accessed April 4, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/as-the-measles-outbreak-continues-to-spread-texas-hospitals-report-cases-of-vitamin-a-toxicity
3. HealthDay. Vaccine Hesitancy Is on the Rise. Who Do Americans Trust to Help Them Make Important Vaccine Decisions? A New HealthDay/Harris Poll. News release. March 31, 2025. Accessed April 4, 2025. https://www.healthday.com/healthday-tv/infectious-disease/vaccine-hesitancy-is-on-the-rise-who-do-americans-trust-to-help-them-make-important-vaccine-decisions-a-new-healthdayharris-poll
4. HealthDay. Local Outbreaks Can Motivate the Vaccine-Hesitant, Poll Finds. News release. March 31, 2025. Accessed April 4, 2025. https://www.healthday.com/health-news/infectious-disease/local-outbreaks-can-motivate-the-vaccine-hesitant-poll-finds
5. Gerlach A. CDC Launches Study on Vaccine-Autism Link Amid Ongoing Measles Outbreak. Pharmacy Times. March 21, 2025. Accessed April 4, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/cdc-launches-study-on-vaccine-autism-link-amid-ongoing-measles-outbreak
