New Zogby Strategies Poll – Nearly 6 in 10 Prefer to Wait or Outright Reject Getting COVID-19 Vaccine; 4 of 10 Oppose Federal Mandate
Washington, DC—In perhaps the most in-depth polling on the topic of the mRNA vaccine, a new nationwide poll of 1,000 US adults, conducted by John Zogby Strategies, continues to show a large portion of the public has concerns over the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.
When asked whether they’ll take the first-time mRNA vaccine, a total of 55% prefer to either “wait and see if it negatively affects other people who get it” (39%), or indicate they “don’t want to take this new mRNA COVID-19 vaccine” (16%). 30% report they “will take the mRNA vaccine as soon as it is available.”
Looking more closely at those choosing not to get the vaccine: 67% are fearful of side effects. A similar October 2020 poll showed that 59% were afraid of side effects, a growth of 8 percentage points. In this same group, 39% are concerned because vaccine makers have liability protection.
Pollster Jeremy Zogby states, “These numbers show millions of Americans are afraid or uncertain about future effects of this next-generation vaccine. How will the CDC and FDA deal with this deeply rooted sentiment? In any event, they’ll have to deal with the reality that fear/hesitancy is intense.”
In other findings:
- African-Americans, those under 40, and parents of children under 17 consistently report the highest levels of concern surrounding the vaccine.
- When asked if respondents support COVID-19 vaccine mandates in their state, 45% support vs. 40% oppose.
- On a federal mandate, 44% support vs. 42% oppose.
- 36% of respondents agree that “the short and long-term effects of mRNA vaccines are largely unknown and could cause irreversible harm…”.
- 34% report that the vaccine “will produce positive results for humankind in the near and long-term future.”
- 41% of participants agree the COVID-19 vaccine “makes me feel worried because it is being rushed…and needs a lot more testing,”
- 39% say the vaccine “makes me feel like safety is around the corner.”
- 35% oppose their employer requiring the mRNA vaccine, and nearly half (49%) of this same group say they would seek exemption.
The nationwide online poll was conducted on 12/14/2020. The overall margin of error is +/- 3.2 percentage points. Click here to see full crosstabs.
Sign up for free news and updates from Children’s Health Defense. CHD focuses on legal strategies to defend the health of our children and obtain justice for those injured. We can't do it without your support.