Vaccines, once enjoying broad bipartisan backing, have emerged as a polarizing topic in the U.S. This shift is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving political stances that increasingly question their safety and necessity.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center highlights key aspects of the ongoing debate surrounding vaccines, demonstrating that political affiliation continues to exert a significant influence on public perceptions and decisions regarding immunization.

The survey involved over 5,000 participants, posing questions about their intentions to receive the newest COVID-19 shot and their beliefs regarding the safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccines. The past year has seen fluctuating guidance for vaccinations; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine from an annual dose (similar to the flu shot) to no longer suggesting it for most healthy Americans. The agency still advises older individuals and those with compromised immune systems to get the yearly vaccine.

The findings showed that 44% of Americans were unaware of the CDC’s updated COVID-19 guidelines. Among those who were aware, 63% reported that the new recommendations did not affect their decision about whether to get the latest shot. A majority of Americans—59%—indicated they did not plan to get the newest COVID-19 vaccine. This percentage remains consistent with the previous year, suggesting that policy changes are having limited impact on the public. Eileen Yam, managing director of science and society research at Pew, described this as “a reality check about what isn’t breaking through [about vaccine recommendations].”

A stark political divide is apparent among individuals who do not intend to get the latest COVID-19 shot. Approximately 83% of those identifying as Republicans or leaning Republican stated they do not want the shot, compared to 44% of Democrats.

Yam noted that this disparity in vaccine attitudes based on political affiliation is more pronounced than ever. She described it as a trend that began during the pandemic and continues to strengthen. “It wasn’t always this way,” she said, particularly concerning childhood vaccines, which historically received support from most people across both parties. Yam added, “Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a really big dropoff among Republicans” in support for all vaccines, encompassing not just the COVID shot but also routine childhood immunizations.

A significant reason for this divide may stem from mandates for routine immunizations, specifically childhood vaccinations required for school enrollment. Although Republicans generally affirm vaccine safety and effectiveness—for example, 78% of Republicans and 92% of Democrats agree that the protective benefits of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine outweigh any associated risks—support for school vaccine mandates has sharply declined. Among Republicans, only 52% supported school requirements for MMR, a considerable decrease from 79% in 2019.

Democrats and Republicans hold differing views on who should be responsible for making vaccination decisions. Democrats are more inclined to favor a significant role for medical scientists in recommendations, while more Republicans believe parents should have the primary role. This is reflected in Republicans’ agreement that vaccines protect both individuals and the community, even as they feel that no entity—whether the federal government or schools—should mandate them. Yam summarized the core issue: “It boils down to who gets to decide.”

These findings therefore offer insights into potential avenues for finding common ground among individuals with differing perspectives on vaccines.

Yam stated, “We need to look under the hood where there might be differences in people’s confidence in vaccine measures.” She further advised that “having a finger on the pulse of what policy measures resonate or not in different pockets of the country is something both policymakers and health communicators need to keep in mind in any conversations about vaccines.”