Americans’ Confidence in Vaccines Declines, Survey Shows
According to a recent survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, Americans’ confidence in vaccines has decreased since April 2021. The survey, which included responses from over 1,500 adults, revealed a growing trend of vaccine misinformation in the United States.
The survey, conducted between October 5 – 12, found that the percentage of people who viewed vaccines as less safe and effective has increased since April 2021. Specifically, Americans surveyed were less likely to consider it safe to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), pneumonia, and Covid-19 vaccines than they were in April 2021.
The survey also revealed a rise in misinformation surrounding vaccines causing autism, cancer, and other illnesses such as the flu or Covid-19. Despite multiple studies disproving any link between vaccines and autism, the myth continues to be spread by anti-vaccine activists.
The survey showed a significant decline in the percentage of Americans who believe that vaccines approved for use in the US are safe, dropping 6 percentage points since April 2021 to 71%. Additionally, the share of adults who don’t think the approved vaccines are safe nearly doubled in the same time frame, increasing from 9% to 16%.
Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, expressed concern about the increasing levels of misinformation surrounding vaccines. “There are warning signs in these data that we ignore at our peril,” Jamieson said. “Growing numbers now distrust health-protecting, life-saving vaccines.”
The Biden administration has been actively working to combat health misinformation. US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy highlighted the seriousness of health misinformation in a 22-page advisory released earlier this year, calling it a “serious threat to public health.”
Experts believe that vaccine misinformation contributes to vaccine hesitancy and emphasize the importance of providing accurate information about vaccines. Meeting people where they are and addressing their concerns can help increase vaccine confidence and uptake.
To combat health misinformation, the US Department of Health and Human Services published a Community Toolkit in 2021. The toolkit provides guidance for individuals who come across health-related content they are unsure about, advising them to check with health care providers, the CDC, or local public health departments to verify claims.
As vaccine confidence continues to decline, it is essential to address misinformation and provide accurate information to ensure the effectiveness of vaccination efforts.