New study finds declining trust in COVID-19 vaccines

September 10, 2024
Avatar for Jeremy AlfredJeremy Alfred
COVID-19 vaccine

A new study published by the Annenberg Science and Public Health (ASAPH) Knowledge Monitor discovers that Americans trust the COVID-19 vaccines less now than they did right after the vaccine rollout in 2021. They also underestimate the risk of getting COVID-19 more than before.

ASAPH is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania. The project uses surveys to track the level of people’s health knowledge and records the effect of misinformation over time. The report, authored by Dr. K. H. Jamieson et al., shows the overall attitudes and knowledge of people all over the U.S. instead of focusing on certain states. The full report can be accessed here.

The survey regards health knowledge that is consistent with the recommendations from expert scientific sources and knowledge custodians as the truth. In the field of public health, the authors define the CDC, NIH, and WHO to be the custodians of knowledge.

The project has conducted 20 waves of surveys across the nation since April 2021 and can compare changes in attitudes over time.

Study findings regarding COVID-19

  • Trust in the COVID-19 vaccine. As of August 2023, only 66% of Americans believed the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines outweighed their risks.
  • Willingness to get combined COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines. 27% of participants said they were “not at all likely” to take a combined vaccine containing flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines. As of July 2024, 50% said they were “somewhat or very likely” to take the combined vaccine.
  • Believing misinformation. Belief in some types of misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines has increased since 2021.

Misinformation

% participants believing misinformation in 2021

% participants believing misinformation in 2023 or 2024

The COVID−19 vaccines have been responsible for thousands of deaths

22%

28% as of 2024

It’s safer to get COVID−19 than to get the COVID−19 vaccine

10%

22% as of 2024

Allergic reactions to authorized vaccines against COVID−19 are not very rare

20%

18% as of 2023

COVID−19 vaccination affects a couple’s fertility/chances of getting pregnant

20%

18% as of 2024

The COVID−19 vaccine changes people’s DNA

8%

15% as of 2024

covid-19 vaccines during pregnancy

Confidence in COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy

Only 51% of survey participants thought that COVID−19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe. 57% of participants agreed that the COVID−19 vaccine can reduce the risk of COVID−19 complications during pregnancy, and COVID−19 vaccination during pregnancy minimizes the chances of hospitalization from COVID−19. Only 36% of participants knew that COVID−19 vaccination during pregnancy can protect the infant from COVID-19 from birth to 6 months of age. 16% of participants believed that COVID−19 vaccination affects their chances of getting pregnant.

Confidence in custodians of public health regarding COVID-19


Participants had different levels of confidence in different authority figures regarding COVID-19 information and recommendations.

Custodian of public health

Public confidence in 2021

Public confidence in 2023

Primary care provider

82%

85%

FDA

75%

71%

CDC

75%

74%

Dr. Fauci

71%

63%

Trust in different groups and professions


Each participant was asked whether they trusted people from different groups or professions to act in their best interest.


The responses showed that people trusted medical scientists the most- 41% of the participants trusted them a lot or a great deal. This was followed by scientists, who were trusted a lot or a great deal by 36% of the participants. Business leaders were trusted the least- only 5% of the participants trusted them a lot or a great deal, against 63% of participants who trusted them a little or not at all.

The information provided in our blog posts is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.

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