- Giant majorities of fogeys have constructive views of long-standing childhood vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and polio, saying these vaccines are essential for kids of their group to get (90% and 88%, respectively) and that they’re assured they’re protected for kids (84% and 85%). About eight in ten mother and father 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 strains, with massive majorities of fogeys who establish as Democrats, independents, and Republicans viewing MMR and polio vaccines as protected and essential for kids 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 protected for kids (65% for flu and 43% for COVID-19) and saying they’re essential for kids of their group to get (56% and 43%, respectively). Mother and father’ views on COVID-19 and flu vaccines divide alongside partisan strains, with Democratic mother and father more likely than Republican mother and father to carry constructive views of each. Republican mother and father who help the Make America Nice Once more (MAGA) motion categorical probably the most skeptical attitudes in direction of vaccines for kids, notably in relation to confidence within the security of COVID-19 (14%) and flu (48%) vaccines.
- Along with partisan divisions, mother and father below age 35 categorical larger concern about vaccine security in contrast with mother and father ages 35 and over, maybe a sign of shifting attitudes with youthful generations of fogeys. For instance, 4 in ten (39%) youthful mother and father say vaccines don’t undergo sufficient security testing earlier than being really helpful for kids 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 protecting their kids updated on vaccinations, one in six (16%) mother and father say they’ve ever skipped or delayed a minimum of one childhood vaccine apart from flu or COVID-19 immunizations. About one in 5 Republican mother and father (22%), rising to 1 in 4 MAGA Republicans (25%), report skipping or delaying any childhood vaccines, increased than the share of Democratic (8%) mother and father who report this. Youthful mother and father are additionally considerably extra prone to report skipping or delaying vaccines than older mother and father, whatever the age of their kids; 19% of fogeys below age 35 say they’ve skipped or delayed a minimum of one childhood vaccine in contrast with 12% of these age 50 and over. Most mother and father who skip or delay vaccines cite unwanted effects and security as their high causes, whereas few cite causes associated to a toddler’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 really helpful childhood vaccines has led to an increase in power illness within the U.S., that MMR vaccines could cause autism, and that the measles vaccine causes the sickness it prevents. Extra not too long ago, Kennedy has promoted Vitamin A as an efficient therapy for measles. Requested about every of those claims, many mother and father are unsure what to imagine. Whereas about one in ten or fewer mother and father 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 could cause autism in kids, 9% of fogeys imagine this to be true, rising to 16% amongst mother and father who’ve a toddler with autism spectrum dysfunction.
- Six in ten mother and father have heard little to nothing about HHS Secretary Kennedy’s current adjustments that would influence vaccine insurance policies within the U.S., whereas only one in ten (11%) have heard “so much” and one-quarter (27%) have heard “some” about these adjustments. Consciousness is increased amongst older mother and father, Democratic mother and father, and fogeys with a university diploma. When requested how they count on these adjustments to influence vaccine coverage within the U.S., mother and father are divided, and plenty of should not positive whether or not they are going to have an effect on entry to vaccines, security, or the affect of pharmaceutical corporations. Democratic mother and father are significantly extra probably than Republican mother and father to say these adjustments will make entry harder (52% vs. 7%) and can make childhood vaccines much less protected (40% vs. 5%). Republican mother and father are extra probably than Democrats to say Kennedy’s adjustments will lower pharmaceutical corporations’ affect on vaccine coverage (32% vs. 11%) however most mother and father throughout teams count on no adjustments or say they’re unsure.
- Pediatricians stay probably the most trusted supply of vaccine data for folks. Although, as previous KFF polls have discovered of the general public as an entire, mother and father are divided alongside partisan strains of their belief of vaccine data from authorities businesses like their native public well being division, the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), with Democratic mother and father more likely than Republican mother and father to belief these sources. Mother and father who’ve skipped or delayed childhood vaccines additionally checklist pediatricians as their most trusted supply of vaccine data, with their family and friends, and HHS Secretary Kennedy rating second and third. One-third or fewer of those mother and father report trusting their native well being division, CDC, or FDA “so much” or “slightly.”
Mother and father’ Views of Vaccine Security and Significance
Mother and father overwhelmingly worth long-standing childhood vaccines however are extra divided in relation to the COVID-19 and flu vaccines for kids. Throughout events, massive majorities of fogeys see the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and polio vaccines as essential for kids of their communities and are assured of their security, however opinions on flu vaccines and particularly COVID-19 vaccines are extra blended and sharply divided alongside partisan strains.
About 9 in ten mother and father say it is crucial for kids of their group 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 kids of their group 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 kids to get, mother and father are divided alongside partisan strains when assessing the significance of COVID-19 and flu pictures for kids of their group. Democratic mother and father are greater than thrice as probably as Republican mother and father to say it’s “very” or “considerably” essential for kids of their group to be vaccinated for COVID-19 (68% vs. 21%) and twice as prone to say it is crucial for kids to be vaccinated for the flu (78% vs. 38%). About 4 in ten unbiased mother and father (43%) say the COVID-19 vaccine is essential for kids, and simply over half (55%) say the identical of the flu vaccine.
Republican mother and father should not a monolith, as those that help the Make America Nice Once more (MAGA) motion are between 9 and 16 proportion factors much less probably than non-MAGA Republican mother and father to say every of those vaccines are essential for kids to obtain. Even nonetheless, a majority of MAGA Republican mother and father and non-MAGA Republican mother and father alike say it is crucial for kids of their group to obtain MMR and polio vaccines.
Mirroring mother and father’ 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 mother and father say they’re both “very” or “considerably assured” that polio vaccines (85%) and MMR vaccines (84%) are protected for kids, 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%) mother and father are assured within the security of COVID-19 vaccines for kids, 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 kids, confidence within the security of annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines for kids differs.
No less than eight in ten mother and father throughout partisanship say they’re least “considerably” assured within the security of MMR and polio vaccines for kids. About eight in ten (82%) Democratic mother and father say they’re assured within the security of flu vaccines for kids, bigger than the share of Republican (55%) or unbiased (64%) mother and father who say the identical. Partisans are extra deeply divided on confidence within the COVID-19 vaccine. Seven in ten Democratic mother and father say they’re assured within the security of COVID-19 vaccines for kids, greater than thrice the share of Republicans who say the identical (70% vs. 22%). About 4 in ten (43%) unbiased mother and father say they’re assured within the security of the COVID-19 vaccine for kids.
The general public total and fogeys within the U.S. have been divided alongside partisan strains in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine because it grew to become accessible in 2021, when Republican adults have been notably hesitant to get themselves or their kids vaccinated, previous KFF polling finds.
The division in relation to the flu vaccine, nonetheless, is more prominent now since the pandemic, and could also be linked to considerations about vaccines usually. Whereas the newly reformed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) below HHS Secretary Kennedy has reaffirmed the prevailing suggestion 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 suggestion comes regardless of scientific proof that these vaccines are protected. Vaccines containing thimerosal comprised less than 6% of the U.S. influenza vaccine supply in 2024.
Black mother and father and fogeys below age 35 are much less probably than different teams to say they’re assured within the security of some vaccines. For instance, simply over half (55%) of Black mother and father say they’re assured the flu vaccines are protected for kids in comparison with about two-thirds of White mother and father (64%) and 7 in ten (69%) Hispanic mother and father. Whereas majorities throughout racial and ethnic teams categorical confidence within the security of MMR and polio vaccines, Black mother and father are a minimum of 10 proportion factors much less probably than White mother and father and Hispanic mother and father to specific confidence within the security of every of those vaccines.
Mother and father below age 35 are additionally much less probably than older mother and father – notably these ages 50 and older – to say they’re both “very” or “considerably assured” that routine vaccines are protected for kids. The widest hole between youthful and older mother and father is on confidence within the security of COVID-19 vaccines for kids, with slightly below 4 in ten (38%) mother and father below age 35 expressing confidence in comparison with about half (51%) of fogeys ages 50 and older.
Mother and father’ 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 accessible to the general public. This ballot reveals that folks are divided over the query of whether or not vaccines undergo sufficient security testing earlier than being really helpful for kids, with many being uncertain what to imagine.
About 4 in ten (41%) mother and father say vaccines undergo “the correct quantity” of security testing within the U.S. earlier than being really helpful for kids by federal well being businesses, whereas about one-third (35%) say vaccines don’t undergo sufficient security testing. An extra one in 5 mother and father categorical uncertainty, saying they aren’t positive whether or not vaccines are adequately security examined. Only a few mother and father total (3%) say vaccines undergo “an excessive amount of” security testing earlier than being really helpful for kids.
Simply as they differ on their confidence in security, partisans differ on whether or not they assume there may be sufficient security testing of vaccines, with about half (48%) of Republican mother and father saying there may be not sufficient security testing of vaccines earlier than they’re really helpful for kids, greater than twice the share of Democratic (20%) mother and father who say the identical. Republican mother and father should not a monolith, as those that say they help the Make America Nice Once more (MAGA) motion are extra probably 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%) mother and father below 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 mother and father 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 kids. 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 protected for kids. Nonetheless, medical research have proven the present vaccine schedule and getting a number of doses when age acceptable to be protected.
About half (52%) of fogeys say the CDC presently recommends “about the correct quantity” of childhood vaccines, whereas 1 / 4 say the CDC recommends “too many” childhood vaccines (26%). One in six mother and father say they aren’t positive (16%), and 5% say the CDC doesn’t suggest sufficient vaccines for kids. A bigger share of Republican mother and father (41%) than Democratic (9%) or unbiased (26%) mother and father 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 kids’s immune programs reply to vaccines at specific ages in addition to their chance of publicity to completely different illnesses. The CDC advises that folks comply with the timing of the immunization schedule, and there’s no proof that delaying or spacing out pictures for kids affords higher safety or reduces severe results. Mother and father, nonetheless, 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 robust proof that spacing out vaccines or avoiding a number of pictures in a single go to is more healthy for kids, whereas 4 in ten (41%) incorrectly say that kids are more healthy when their vaccines are spaced out and so they don’t get a number of pictures in a single go to.
Half of Republican mother and father and 4 in ten (42%) unbiased mother and father incorrectly say kids are more healthy when their vaccines are spaced out in comparison with about three in ten (28%) Democrats. About half (47%) of Black mother and father and about 4 in ten Hispanic (42%) and White (39%) mother and father maintain this false impression.
How Mother and father Establish Themselves When It Involves Vaccine Views
Whereas many mother and father categorical a minimum of some degree of concern or uncertainty about vaccine security, only a few (6%) say they take into account themselves “anti-vaccine.” Comparable shares of fogeys establish as both “pro-vaccine” (48%) or “someplace within the center” (45%). Six in ten Republican mother and father (57%), together with six in ten MAGA Republicans and about half (52%) non-MAGA Republicans, say they’re “someplace within the center” in relation to vaccine attitudes. Most (70%) Democratic mother and father say they’re “pro-vaccine.” White mother and father usually tend to be “pro-vaccine” than Black or Hispanic mother and father (51% v. 34% v. 43% respectively), whereas bigger shares of Black mother and father (51%) and Hispanic mother and father (50%) say they’re “someplace within the center.”
Whereas anti-vaccine mother and father categorical vaccine skeptic views on different questions, and pro-vaccine mother and father are usually accepting and assured in vaccines, mother and father who establish as “someplace within the center” maintain blended views. For instance, few “pro-vaccine” mother and father (17%) say childhood vaccines don’t undergo sufficient security testing in comparison with a lot bigger shares of fogeys who take into account themselves anti-vaccine (64%) or someplace within the center (51%).
Skipping and Delaying Childhood Vaccines: Which Mother and father Do It and Why?
As massive shares of fogeys categorical constructive attitudes in direction of childhood vaccines, most mother and father additionally report protecting their kids updated on childhood vaccines (83%). Nonetheless, about one in six (16%) mother and father say they’ve ever skipped or delayed a minimum of one childhood vaccine for any of their kids (excluding seasonal vaccines like flu and COVID-19). Like vaccine attitudes, mother and father’ choices about vaccination additionally differ alongside partisan strains. Republican mother and father are almost thrice as prone to report skipping vaccinations for his or her kids in comparison with mother and father who’re Democrats (22% vs. 8%). This partisan hole in mother and father’ reviews of protecting kids’s vaccinations updated is consistent with trends KFF polls have discovered for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic led to deepening partisan divides in vaccine attitudes amongst all adults.
Just like variations seen in some vaccine attitudes, youthful mother and father are extra probably than older mother and father to report skipping or delaying childhood vaccines. About one in 5 (19%) mother and father below age 35 report skipping or delaying vaccines for his or her kids, whatever the age of their youngster. That is bigger than the shares of fogeys ages 35 to 49 (16%) or mother and father ages 50 and older (12%) who say the identical.
Amongst White mother and father, non secular beliefs play a task in childhood vaccine choices. About one in 5 (19%) White mother and father total report skipping or delaying vaccines for his or her kids, rising to about one-third (36%) of White mother and father who describe themselves as “very non secular.” Mother and father who homeschool their kids are almost 4 occasions as prone to report skipping or delaying vaccines in comparison with mother and father 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 kids. The overwhelming majority (95%) of “pro-vaccine” mother and father have saved their kids updated with really helpful vaccines. Whereas most mother and father who describe themselves as “someplace within the center” on vaccines have saved their kids updated (78%), about one in 5 (22%) of those mother and father 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, related 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 a minimum of 2 childhood vaccines for his or her kids, and eight% have skipped or delayed a minimum of three. General, 8% of fogeys report delaying a minimum of one in all these vaccines, whereas 7% report forgoing a minimum of one vaccine solely.
Mother and father’ causes for skipping or delaying vaccines for their very own kids mirror lots of the normal considerations and uncertainty expressed by mother and father total. About two-thirds (67%) of fogeys who skipped or delayed vaccines for his or her youngster say considerations about unwanted effects have been a “main cause” for his or her choice. About half of those mother and father say not trusting that vaccines are protected (53%) or not considering all of the really helpful vaccines are mandatory (51%) are main causes they skipped or delayed their youngster’s vaccines.
About 4 in ten (42%) mother and father who skipped or delayed vaccines for his or her youngster say not wanting their youngster to get a number of pictures directly was the foremost cause, adopted by about one-third (34%) who say they skipped or delayed vaccines as a result of they will hold their youngster wholesome in different methods with out vaccines. About one in ten mother and father who skipped or delayed vaccines say the foremost cause was that their youngster is afraid of needles (10%) or their physician didn’t suggest vaccination (9%).
Few vaccine-skipping mother and father cite entry causes, similar to not having time or not having the ability to get an appointment (9%) or that the fee was too excessive (5%). One in eight (13%) mother and father say a significant cause they skipped or delayed vaccines for his or her youngster was that their youngster has a well being situation, whereas one in eight (13%) say this was a minor cause and almost three in 4 (72%) mother and father who skipped vaccines say a medical situation was not a cause for skipping vaccines for his or her youngster.
Half of fogeys who delayed or skipped vaccines for his or her kids say their youngster’s well being care supplier was supportive of their choice (49%), whereas one in 5 say their physician was not supportive (23%) and about one in 4 (27%) say they didn’t talk about the choice with a well being care supplier. Comparable shares of fogeys throughout age teams and with kids in several age cohorts say their physician was supportive of their choice to delay or skip vaccines.
Some mother and father could also be self-selecting pediatricians who align with their vaccine views. One in 4 mother and father who’ve skipped or delayed vaccines for his or her kids say they’ve ever modified or tried to alter their youngster’s supplier as a result of supplier’s views on vaccines. Few (3%) mother and father who hold their kids updated on vaccines say the identical.
Few mother and father report feeling pressured by friends or docs to vaccinate their kids, although those that have skipped or delayed vaccines usually tend to report feeling stress. About one in 4 (23%) mother and father total say they’ve felt unfairly pressured by authorities well being businesses to vaccinate their kids, rising to about half (49%) amongst mother and father who’ve skipped or delayed vaccines. Smaller shares say they’ve felt stress from a well being care supplier (16% total, 44% amongst mother and father who skipped or delayed vaccines), their youngster’s faculty or daycare (14% total, 32% amongst mother and father who skipped or delayed vaccines), associates or household (10% total, 24% amongst mother and father who skipped or delayed vaccines), or different mother and father (10% total, 26% amongst mother and father who skipped or delayed vaccines). Few mother and father who report protecting their kids updated on vaccines report feeling stress from these sources.
The Function of Faculties
Presently, all 50 states and D.C. have state laws that require kids beginning faculty to be vaccinated towards MMR and polio on the federally really helpful ages, although Florida has announced that the state will finish all vaccine mandates, together with for varsity kids. Whereas there is no such thing as a federal legislation concerning childhood vaccinations, suggestions about faculty necessities are issued by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Every state has its personal legal guidelines figuring out faculty vaccination necessities, including policies for exemptions. Whereas all states permit for medical exemptions from faculty vaccine necessities, some states moreover permit for non secular or different personal-belief exemptions.
General, mother and father largely help these insurance policies, with about eight in ten (81%) mother and father saying public colleges ought to require vaccines for measles and polio with some exceptions, whereas about one in 5 (18%) say public colleges shouldn’t require measles and polio vaccines for any college students. Whereas Republican mother and father and independents are every extra probably than Democrats to say public colleges shouldn’t require these vaccines, majorities throughout these teams nonetheless help such necessities.
Eight % of fogeys total, together with about one in 4 (27%) of those that have skipped or delayed vaccines, say they’ve utilized for an exemption so their youngster may attend faculty or daycare with out receiving required vaccines. The most typical sort of exemption is for private causes, reported by 4% of fogeys total and one in 5 mother and father who’ve skipped or delayed any vaccinations for his or her kids. Non secular causes for exemption are cited by 4% of fogeys total, and one in six (16%) mother and father who’ve skipped or delayed vaccinations for his or her kids. Medical exemptions are least frequent, reported by 3% of fogeys total and one in ten (11%) mother and father who’ve skipped vaccines for his or her kids.
About two-thirds (64%) of fogeys who utilized say their exemption was authorised, whereas 36% say it was denied. Amongst all mother and father, 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 danger of measles and different vaccine preventable illness outbreaks.
One in 5 mother and father of youngsters ages 6-17, together with 4 in ten (42%) of those that have skipped or delayed vaccinations, say they’ve homeschooled their youngster for causes apart from the COVID-19 faculty shutdowns. Per earlier polling on homeschooling by The Washington Post, vaccine necessities don’t look like the primary motivation for homeschooling for many mother and father. Three in ten homeschool mother and father say faculty vaccine necessities have been a significant (14%) or minor (16%) cause for homeschooling their youngster, whereas seven in ten (69%) say faculty vaccine insurance policies weren’t a cause. One in 5 mother and father who presently or beforehand homeschooled their kids say they utilized for a faculty vaccine exemption in some unspecified time in the future.
Mother and father’ 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 accessible within the U.S. have been clinically confirmed to be safe and effective at preventing HPV-related infections and cancers. Youngsters might 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 specialists 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 kids. About two-thirds of fogeys (64%) say they’ve heard “so much” (22%) or “some” (41%) of the vaccine that stops HPV, together with related shares of fogeys of ladies and boys.
About six in ten (62%) mother and father of youngsters ages 9 and older say their youngster has already obtained the HPV vaccine, or they in all probability or undoubtedly will get it. This rises to about seven in ten (69%) amongst mother and father who’ve saved all their kids updated on different childhood vaccines. As with vaccine uptake for different childhood vaccines, Democratic mother and father (76%) usually tend to say their youngster will get or has gotten vaccinated towards HPV, although half (51%) of Republican mother and father of eligible kids say the identical. About six in ten (62%) unbiased mother and father say they’ve gotten their youngster 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 kids vaccinated.
Amongst mother and father of youngsters below age 9 who should not but eligible for HPV vaccination, about six in ten say they are going to undoubtedly (29%) or in all probability (29%) get their youngster vaccinated towards HPV, whereas one in 5 say they in all probability (9%) or undoubtedly (10%) won’t vaccinate their youngster. One in 5 (22%) should not positive. Bigger shares of Democratic mother and father (79%) and fogeys who haven’t skipped any childhood vaccines for his or her kids (66%) say they are going to in all probability or undoubtedly get their kids vaccinated towards HPV when they’re eligible, in contrast with about 4 in ten (42%) Republican mother and father and one in 5 (19%) of those that have skipped or delayed childhood vaccines.
In Their Personal Phrases: Why do you assume you’ll not get your youngster vaccinated towards HPV?
In a comply with up query, mother and father who mentioned they “in all probability” or “undoubtedly” wouldn’t get their youngster vaccinated towards HPV informed us why that’s. Many supplied responses associated to considerations concerning the HPV vaccine being related to unsafe sexual conduct and didn’t see a necessity to offer that to their kids, in addition to anecdotes of unwanted effects.
“Dangers outweigh the advantages. It is a illness attributable to a virus you get attributable to unwise conduct.” – Republican mum or dad of a teenage boy and woman, age 51, Wisconsin
“They shouldn’t be partaking in sexual exercise till marriage, and so they explicitly perceive the dangers with out the vaccine, and naturally, the sinful nature.” – Impartial mum or dad of a pre-teen woman, 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 mum or dad of a teenage woman, age 38, Louisiana
“Youngsters shouldn’t be having a sexual relationship and being uncovered to illness.” – Republican mum or dad of a teenage boy, age 54, Pennsylvania
“I’ve personally identified a number of individuals with severely adversarial well being results straight 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 mum or dad of a teenage boy, age 43, Florida
“I’ve seen blended details about the vaccine not simply from mother and father. I wish to do additional analysis concerning the potential adversarial results and advantages earlier than making a choice.” – Democratic mum or dad 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 mentioned he’ll examine the childhood vaccination schedule, suggesting with out proof that the variety of really helpful 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 not too long ago, Kennedy has promoted Vitamin A as an effective treatment for measles, regardless of public well being specialists’ warning that dietary supplements can’t substitute for vaccination.
Comparatively few mother and father assume false or deceptive claims about vaccines and measles are true, however many are unsure, with a minimum of 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 increased amongst Republican mother and father, notably those that establish as supporters of the Make America Nice Once more (MAGA) motion.
General, few mother and father say they assume it’s true that power illnesses are rising due to a rise within the variety of vaccines kids get (13%), that MMR vaccines could cause autism in kids (9%), that the measles vaccine causes the identical sickness it’s supposed to forestall (8%), or that vitamin A is an efficient therapy for measles (6%). For every 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 power illnesses are probably rising attributable to a rise within the variety of childhood vaccines (45%), or that MMR vaccines could cause autism in kids (42%). Assessing the false declare that Vitamin A is an efficient therapy 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 mother and father are about twice as probably as Democratic mother and father to imagine that power illnesses are rising due to a rise within the variety of vaccines kids get (18% v. 7%) and that the MMR vaccines could cause autism in kids (13% v. 5%). Perception in every of the three claims associated to vaccines and measles is increased amongst mother and father who’re MAGA Republicans in comparison with non-MAGA Republicans; nonetheless, most MAGA supporters both categorical uncertainty or say these claims are false.
Mother and father who say they skipped or delayed really helpful vaccines for his or her kids are way more probably than those that have saved their kids 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 mother and father are unsure concerning the info round autism and vaccines. The ballot finds that folks who say their youngster has been identified with autism spectrum dysfunction are extra probably than these whose kids have to not say it’s true that MMR vaccines could cause autism in kids (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 Modifications to Vaccine Coverage
Amid criticism of federal well being businesses, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was appointed HHS Secretary, and mentioned his precedence was to strengthen the agencies’ independence and base decisions on scientific evidence. Six months into his time period as Secretary, mother and father’ confidence in federal well being businesses to hold out a few of their core capabilities is blended.
About half (49%) of fogeys say they’ve “so much” 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 based mostly on science somewhat than the views of company officers (40%) or to behave independently with out interference from exterior pursuits (35%).
Republican mother and father are much less probably than Democratic mother and father to specific confidence in authorities well being businesses to make sure the security and effectiveness of vaccines (41% v. 60%), make choices based mostly on science somewhat than the views of company officers (35% v. 48%), or to behave independently with out exterior interference (30% v. 40%).
Even amongst mother and father who’re ostensibly among the many present administration’s most ardent supporters (Republicans who say they help the MAGA motion), fewer than half categorical a minimum of some confidence in federal authorities well being businesses to make sure the security and effectiveness of vaccines, make choices based mostly on science, or act independently.
Mother and father below age 50, who usually tend to categorical vaccine-skeptical attitudes and to report skipping or delaying vaccines for his or her kids, are much less probably than older mother and father to specific confidence in authorities well being businesses to make sure vaccine security and effectiveness and to behave independently with out exterior pursuits.
Since his appointment as Secretary of Well being and Human Providers, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made a number of adjustments to U.S. vaccine coverage, together with changing the ACIP, eradicating COVID-19 vaccine suggestions for wholesome kids, 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 adjustments.
About 4 in ten (38%) mother and father have heard “so much” (11%) or “some” (27%) about current adjustments Kennedy has made that would have an effect on vaccine insurance policies within the U.S., whereas about one in 4 (27%) have heard “slightly” and one-third (34%) have heard “nothing in any respect.” Mother and father with a university diploma (49%) and Democrats (49%) are extra probably than their counterparts to say they’ve heard a minimum of “some” about these current adjustments.
In the case of expectations of the influence of those adjustments, mother and father are cut up alongside social gathering strains. One in six mother and father (16%) say the adjustments made by Kennedy will make childhood vaccines safer, about one in 5 (18%) say the adjustments will make childhood vaccines much less protected, and a further one in 5 say these adjustments won’t make a distinction (22%). The biggest share of fogeys, greater than 4 in ten (44%), say they aren’t positive how these adjustments will influence security.
Partisans are cut up, with about three in ten (29%) Republican mother and father, rising to almost 4 in ten (38%) MAGA Republicans, saying these adjustments will make childhood vaccines safer, in comparison with 4% of Democratic mother and father. 4 in ten Democratic mother and father and 5% of Republican mother and father say the adjustments will make vaccines much less protected. About one in 5 mother and father throughout partisans say the adjustments won’t make a distinction, and a minimum of one-third say they aren’t positive.
Fewer than one in ten (8%) mother and father say that adjustments made by Kennedy will make it simpler for folks to entry vaccines for his or her kids, about one in 4 (24%) say these adjustments will make it harder, and about one in 4 say it won’t make a distinction (23%). The biggest share (44%) say they aren’t positive.
Once more, partisans are cut up, with half of Democratic mother and father (52%) saying Kennedy’s adjustments will make it harder to entry vaccines. Most Republican mother and father say Kennedy’s adjustments won’t make a distinction in entry to childhood vaccines (33%) or that they aren’t positive (46%).
Secretary Kennedy has promised radical transparency and a lower within the pharmaceutical business’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 adjustments will lower pharmaceutical firm affect in U.S. vaccine coverage, about one in ten (11%) say they are going to improve affect, and one in six (17%) mother and father say it received’t make a distinction.
Half of Republicans (47%) and Democrats (50%) say they aren’t positive if Kennedy’s adjustments will improve or lower pharmaceutical firm affect in U.S. vaccine coverage. One-third (32%) of Republicans count on the adjustments to lower pharmaceutical firm affect, whereas one in 5 Democrats say it would both improve (18%), or won’t make a distinction (20%).
Belief in Sources of Vaccine Data
Per prior KFF polling, pediatricians are probably the most trusted supply of vaccine data amongst mother and father, with greater than eight in ten (85%) saying they belief their youngster’s pediatrician a “nice deal” or “honest quantity” to offer dependable details about vaccines. Smaller majorities categorical belief in authorities sources of vaccine data, together with their native public well being division (64%), the CDC (59%), and the FDA (55%). Over half (56%) of fogeys say they belief their family and friends for dependable vaccine data, whereas almost half (46%) belief their youngster’s faculty or daycare.
Fewer mother and father say they belief HHS Secretary Kennedy (36%) or pharmaceutical corporations (31%) as sources of vaccine data. Belief in well being and wellness influencers for dependable vaccine data is the bottom amongst these sources, with about one in seven (14%) mother and father expressing belief, together with simply 2% who say they belief well being influencers “an important deal.”
Except for pediatricians, who garner “an important deal” of belief from 4 in ten (43%) mother and father total, different sources for vaccine data garner “an important deal” of belief from 15% of fogeys or fewer.
There are extensive partisan divisions in relation to belief in some sources of vaccine data. Whereas massive majorities throughout partisans belief their kids’s pediatrician a minimum of a “honest quantity” for vaccine data, belief is increased amongst Democratic mother and father (93%) than Republican (85%) or unbiased mother and father (82%). Notably, about 4 in ten unbiased (39%) and Republican mother and father (37%) say they belief their youngster’s pediatrician a “nice deal” for vaccine data in comparison with about six in ten Democratic mother and father (62%).
Democratic mother and father are extra probably than each unbiased and Republican mother and father to specific a minimum of a “honest quantity” of belief in authorities well being businesses, together with their native public well being division, the CDC, and the FDA, in addition to their kids’s faculty or day care. Conversely, simply over half of Republican mother and father (54%) and one-third of unbiased mother and father say they belief HHS Secretary Kennedy to offer dependable vaccine data in comparison with about one in 5 Democratic mother and father (18%). Fewer than one in 5 mother and father throughout partisans say they belief well being and wellness influencers as sources of vaccine data.
Pediatricians proceed to be probably the most trusted supply of details about vaccines for folks, no matter their vaccine decisions. About two-thirds (64%) of fogeys who report skipping or delaying a minimum of one childhood vaccine for his or her kids and 9 in ten of those that have saved their children updated say they belief their youngster’s pediatrician “an important deal” or “a good quantity.”
Except for pediatricians, mother and father who’ve made completely different vaccine decisions for his or her kids report trusting completely different sources for data. About half of fogeys who’ve skipped or delayed vaccines say they belief their family and friends (55%) and HHS Secretary Kennedy (47%) for vaccine data, making these the highest two sources of vaccine data for these mother and father after pediatricians. One-third or fewer mother and father who’ve skipped or delayed childhood vaccines belief their native well being division, FDA, and CDC, sources that are trusted by majorities of fogeys who report protecting their kids updated on vaccines.
Regardless of trusting quite a lot of data sources, few mother and father report issue understanding the vaccine schedule for his or her kids and why they need to get them vaccinated. General, about eight in ten mother and father say it’s both “very” or “considerably simple” to know why their kids ought to get vaccines usually (84%), when their kids ought to get sure vaccines (83%), and which vaccines their kids ought to get (81%). Nonetheless, half or fewer mother and father say it’s “very simple” to know every of those, together with why they need to be vaccinated (52%), when they need to be vaccinated (44%), and which vaccines they need to get (44%).
