According to the latest KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor poll, 52% of U.S. adults express reluctance to receive the new COVID-19 vaccine, stating they will “probably” or “definitely” not get it. Conversely, 23% of adults have firm plans to receive the vaccine, with another 23% leaning towards getting it.
The poll also discovered that among those who are committed to receiving the vaccine, a majority are Democrats and/or at least 65 years old. Specifically, 70% of Democrats intend to get the new vaccine compared to just 24% of Republicans.
This survey was conducted between September 6 and September 13, involving 1,296 U.S. adults through online and telephone polls. KFF, headquartered in San Francisco, is an independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Drew Altman, KFF’s president and CEO, stated in a press release that the poll reveals that the majority of the nation still trusts the CDC and the FDA regarding vaccines, but there is a noticeable partisan gap. Most Republicans do not trust the nation’s regulatory and scientific agencies responsible for vaccine approval and guidance.
“The poll shows that most of the nation still trusts the CDC and the FDA on vaccines — but there is a partisan gap, and most Republicans don’t trust the nation’s regulatory and scientific agencies responsible for vaccine approval and guidance,” KFF’s president and CEO, Drew Altman, said in a press release.
The poll also highlighted a partisan divide concerning COVID precautions. Among Democrats, 58% are likely to take extra precautions such as wearing masks, avoiding travel, and refraining from public gatherings due to rising COVID cases. In contrast, only 16% of Republicans express a similar inclination.
Regarding the vaccination of children, more than half of parents indicate that they will “probably” or “definitely” not vaccinate their children, despite the CDC’s recommendation for children aged 6 months and older to receive the COVID vaccine.
In contrast, most adults (68%) and parents (55%) support mandatory vaccines for healthy children for diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella. However, 43% of parents and 31% of adults believe that the decision regarding vaccinating children should be left to the parents’ discretion.
Interestingly, the survey participants are more inclined to receive the flu shot and the new RSV vaccine than the new COVID vaccine.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, believes that the decision to get the new vaccine should be a personal one, based on facts rather than politics or fear. He emphasizes that the vaccine may not prevent the spread of the virus but can reduce the risk of long COVID, including myocarditis.
“The problem is that too many decisions about the new COVID vaccine are driven by politics and fear rather than by an understanding of either viruses or vaccines,” he told Fox News Digital. “The reason the CDC is recommending [the new COVID vaccine] for [those who are] six months and up is because the CDC’s statistics have shown that during the pandemic, half of the children hospitalized had no preexisting conditions,” Siegel noted.
“But as Dr. Paul Offit [at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania] has pointed out to me, many of those kids were unvaccinated, and also, much of this data is from earlier in the pandemic,” he added.
Dr. Siegel suggests that individuals at higher risk, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions like obesity, heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and immunodeficiencies, should consider getting vaccinated. However, he advises against vaccination for those who have had recent COVID or experienced adverse reactions to previous vaccines.
Regarding other vaccines, Dr. Siegel recommends the flu shot for everyone and the RSV shot for elderly individuals. Pregnant women should consult with their obstetrician to make a case-by-case decision.
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