Key Takeaways
The most recent KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor survey suggests the dearth of public concern about getting sick from COVID-19 could also be why many individuals haven’t gotten the newest vaccine and why half of the general public usually are not planning on taking precautions to restrict the unfold of the virus through the coming months.
- As the general public heads into the fourth vacation season with the virus, about half of adults say they don’t plan to get the newest vaccine which turned publicly obtainable almost two months in the past. This consists of three in ten of those that have been beforehand vaccinated. 1 / 4 of the general public say that whereas they haven’t gotten the newest vaccine, they intend to take action.
- That leaves about two in ten adults reporting having gotten the newest COVID-19 vaccine. In step with demographic variations throughout different COVID-related behaviors, uptake of the brand new vaccine is highest amongst these ages 65 and older (34%) and Democrats (32%). Smaller shares of youthful adults ages 18-29 (18%), Republicans (11%) and independents (16%) report getting the newest vaccine. Related shares throughout racial and ethnic teams say they’ve gotten the up to date vaccine, together with 26% of Black adults, 20% of Hispanic adults, and 19% of White adults. Nonetheless, when combining the shares who’ve gotten the shot and people who intend to get it, Black adults (59%) and Hispanic adults (59%) each outpace White adults (42%).
- The most recent COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor survey explores why beforehand vaccinated folks haven’t acquired the newest vaccine and finds reducing considerations across the virus tops the listing of causes. About half (52%) of those that have been beforehand vaccinated however haven’t gotten the newest shot say lack of fear about COVID-19 is a motive why they haven’t gotten the vaccine. Getting vaccinated can be seemingly not the precedence it as soon as was, with many additionally saying they haven’t gotten it as a result of they’ve been too busy (37%) or that they’re ready to get it a later date (32%).
- With the upcoming winter holidays, small shares of the general public are fearful COVID-19 will affect their vacation plans. About three in ten are fearful they may unfold COVID-19 to folks near them (31%) or that they may get significantly sick from COVID-19 (28%), and a couple of quarter (26%) fear they may get COVID-19 over the vacations. A bigger share of the general public is fearful about elevated hospitalizations, with virtually half (46%) saying they’re “very” or “considerably fearful” that there will likely be a rise in hospitalizations within the U.S. this winter.
- The general public is split on precautions this upcoming season, with half of adults saying they’re planning to take a minimum of one in all a number of precautions to restrict the unfold of COVID this fall and winter, whereas the opposite half usually are not planning to take any of the precautions requested about within the survey. The commonest precautions folks say they plan to take are avoiding giant gatherings (35%) or sporting a masks in crowded locations (30%). Smaller shares say they’re avoiding journey this fall and winter (25%), avoiding eating indoors at eating places (19%), or taking a COVID-19 take a look at earlier than visiting with pals or household (18%). Some teams usually tend to report taking such precautions together with majorities of Black adults (72%), Hispanic adults (68%), Democrats (66%), and simply over half (53%) of vaccinated adults.
The Newest COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake And Intentions
The November KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor investigates uptake for the brand new, up to date COVID-19 vaccine, which has been really helpful by the CDC for folks ages 6 months and older. Two months after the vaccine turned obtainable, about half of adults say they’ve gotten or will get the shot, however one other half say they gained’t get the newest shot and a 3rd appear steadfast in that call.
One in 5 (20%) adults now say they’ve acquired the brand new, up to date COVID-19 vaccine that turned obtainable in September. A further one in 4 adults say they may “positively get” (13%) or “most likely get” (15%) the up to date shot. In step with demographic variations throughout different COVID-related behaviors, uptake is highest amongst these ages 65 and older (34%) and Democrats (32%). That is significant on condition that these ages 65 and older are extra weak to COVID-19, as they’re extra more likely to get significantly sick and expertise issues that might lead to hospitalization. That is compared to smaller shares of youthful adults ages 18-29 (18%), Republicans (12%) and independents (16%) who report getting the newest vaccine. Related shares throughout racial and ethnic teams report having gotten the up to date vaccine, together with 26% of Black adults, 20% of Hispanic adults, and 19% of White adults. Nonetheless, when combining the shares who’ve gotten the shot and people who intend to get it, Black adults (59%) and Hispanic adults (59%) each outpace White adults (42%).
Uptake of the latest vaccine matches carefully to uptake of the up to date bivalent booster measured in December 2022, simply after the up to date bivalent COVID-19 booster had turn into obtainable to be used. About two in ten adults stated they’d acquired the booster dose (22%).
One in three (34%) adults say they may “positively not” get the brand new COVID-19 vaccine, and one other 17% say they may “most likely not” get the vaccine. The share who say they “most likely” or “positively” gained’t get the brand new COVID-19 vaccination has remained unchanged from the September COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor, which was fielded instantly previous to when the vaccine turned obtainable.
Majorities of those that have by no means acquired any COVID-19 vaccine (94%), Republicans (77%), independents (59%), those that stay in rural areas (65%), White adults (58%), and people beneath the age of 65 (55%) proceed to say they won’t get the up to date COVID-19 vaccine.
The survey finds that partisanship is continuous to play an outsized function in vaccine attitudes. Whereas almost six in ten White adults say they don’t plan to get the brand new vaccine, this will increase to eight in ten amongst White adults who self-identify as Republicans. That is greater than twice the share of White adults who’re Democrats (29%) who say they may both “positively not” or “most likely not” get the vaccine. The truth is, three in ten (31%) White adults who’re Democrats have already gotten the brand new vaccine, in comparison with 11% of their Republican counterparts.
Most adults (79%) say they’ve heard a minimum of “somewhat” concerning the up to date COVID-19 vaccine, with one in 5 (22%) saying they’ve heard “rather a lot.” A small share (21%) say they’ve heard “nothing in any respect” concerning the up to date vaccine.
Consciousness is excessive throughout demographic teams, together with the overwhelming majority (92%) of adults ages 65 and older who’ve heard a minimum of “somewhat” concerning the up to date vaccine in comparison with a considerably smaller share, however nonetheless a majority, of youthful adults, together with six in ten of these ages 18 to 29. Bigger shares of Democrats are additionally extra conscious of the vaccine, with 86% who’ve heard a minimum of “somewhat” in comparison with three-quarters (74%) of Republicans.
With most individuals conscious of the newest vaccine, many, together with giant shares of beforehand vaccinated adults, haven’t but acquired the up to date shot and a few don’t plan to. About six in ten (58%) adults are beforehand vaccinated and have but to get the up to date vaccine. This group is roughly divided between individuals who say they may get the vaccine and people who say they aren’t planning to get the newest shot. The most recent COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor survey explores why this group of beforehand vaccinated folks haven’t gotten the newest dose.
Round half of adults (47%) have each beforehand acquired a COVID-19 vaccine and likewise say they may get or have already gotten the up to date vaccine. Then again, one in 5 (20%) adults are beforehand unvaccinated and say they won’t get the up to date vaccine. That leaves three in ten (31%) who’ve beforehand been vaccinated however now say they may not get the up to date shot.
Greater than 4 in ten Republicans (43%) and one in three independents (35%) say they’re beforehand vaccinated however gained’t get the up to date shot, in comparison with 19% of Democrats. A bigger share of White adults (34%) additionally report being beforehand vaccinated however not planning on getting the newest shot in comparison with Black adults (20%). Round 1 / 4 of Hispanic adults (26%) are beforehand vaccinated however now don’t plan to get the newest vaccine.
Lowering Issues About COVID high The Causes for Not Getting the Newest Vaccine
In 2021, KFF surveys analyzing preliminary vaccine rollout discovered that considerations about vaccine security have been the driving motive why folks didn’t get vaccine. At the same time as these considerations dissipated amongst many of the public, a small share of the general public remained steadfast and by no means acquired a COVID-19 vaccine. But, subsequent booster by no means reached the identical uptake ranges as seen within the preliminary vaccine rollout. And because the nation enters its fourth yr of COVID-19 considerations, it seems this development continues.
When requested a couple of collection of causes that might clarify why persons are not getting the newest vaccine, not worrying about getting COVID-19 tops the listing. About half (52%) of those that have been beforehand vaccinated say lack of fear about COVID-19 is a minimum of a minor motive why they haven’t gotten the vaccine, together with 1 / 4 who say it’s a “main motive.” Getting vaccinated may additionally not be a precedence for some with round 4 in ten (37%) saying being too busy is a minimum of a minor motive why they haven’t gotten it but, and one other third saying they’re ready to get it a later date. Experiences from earlier doses may additionally be conserving folks from getting the brand new vaccine with a couple of quarter saying that unhealthy unintended effects from a earlier COVID-19 vaccine dose is a motive why they haven’t gotten the brand new vaccine.
Small shares say there are different obstacles to getting the vaccine together with 16% who say they can’t take the day without work work and 13% who say they haven’t been capable of get an appointment. One in ten (11%) say their physician instructed them to attend or to to not get the up to date vaccine.
Amongst Hispanic adults who have been beforehand vaccinated however haven’t gotten the brand new shot, about half (55%) say they aren’t fearful about getting COVID-19, they’re too busy (51%), or they’re ready to get it at a later date (48%). As well as, a 3rd (35%) of Hispanic adults in addition to 1 / 4 (22%) of Black adults cite not with the ability to take day without work work, in comparison with only one in ten (9%) White adults.
Democrats’ high causes for not getting the up to date COVID-19 vaccine suggests there’ll doubtless nonetheless be further uptake on this group, whereas Republicans’ high causes could point out extra resistance to the newest vaccine. Amongst those that have been beforehand vaccinated however haven’t gotten the brand new shot, half of Democrats (49%) say being too busy is a “main” or “minor” motive they haven’t gotten the up to date vaccine but, in comparison with 22% of Republicans and 35% of independents. Then again, two-thirds of Republicans (66%) and greater than half of independents (57%) say not worrying about getting COVID is a minimum of a minor motive why they haven’t gotten the up to date vaccine, in comparison with a 3rd of Democrats (35%).
Half Of The Public Says COVID-19 Isn’t Altering Their Vacation Plans
With fall and winter holidays developing, the opportunity of an extra wave of COVID-19 infections is looming with elevated indoor gatherings and time with family and friends. But, many of the public shouldn’t be fearful about spreading or catching COVID-19 over the approaching months. About three in ten adults are fearful they may unfold COVID-19 to folks near them (31%) or they may get significantly sick from COVID-19 (28%), and a couple of quarter (26%) are fearful they may get COVID-19 over the vacations. A bigger share of the general public is fearful about elevated hospitalizations, with virtually half (46%) saying they’re “very” or “considerably fearful” that there will likely be a rise in hospitalizations within the U.S. this winter.
Older adults usually are not extra fearful than youthful adults concerning the unfold of COVID-19 this vacation season aside from considerations about will increase in circumstances and hospitalizations. Round half (53%) of adults ages 65 and older say they’re fearful that there will likely be a rise in COVID-19 circumstances and hospitalizations this winter, in comparison with smaller shares (44%) of these beneath the age of 65.
Across the identical share say they’re “very” or “considerably fearful” about a rise in COVID-19 circumstances and hospitalizations this winter as have been in December of final yr when there was the same uptick in COVID-19 circumstances.
Precautions In opposition to COVID-19
Along with not worrying about COVID-19 through the upcoming holidays, the general public is split on precautions, with half of adults saying they aren’t planning to take any of the precautions requested about within the survey, whereas the opposite half report they plan to take a minimum of one precaution this fall and winter. The commonest precautions folks stated they deliberate to take have been avoiding giant gatherings (35%) or sporting a masks in crowded locations (30%). Smaller shares say they’re avoiding journey this fall and winter as a precaution in opposition to COVID-19 (25%), avoiding eating indoors at eating places (19%), or taking a COVID-19 take a look at earlier than visiting with pals or household (18%).
The share who say they plan to take precautions to restrict the unfold of COVID is much like the share of the general public who stated they have been taking precautions due to the “tripledemic” again in January of this yr. Again then, about half (46%) of adults stated the information of COVID-19, RSV, and the flu spreading that winter had made them extra more likely to take a precaution, together with three in ten (31%) who stated they have been extra more likely to put on a masks in public and 1 / 4 (26%) who have been extra more likely to keep away from giant gatherings.
Whereas 4 in ten (39%) White adults say they may take a minimum of one precaution, majorities of Black adults (72%) and Hispanic adults (68%) report they’re planning to take any of the precautions talked about.
Equally, partisanship and former vaccine uptake proceed to be robust predictors of whether or not folks plan to take precautions to restrict the unfold of the virus. Two thirds (66%) of Democrats and half (48%) of independents say they plan to take a minimum of one precaution, in comparison with three in ten (29%) Republicans who say the identical. Simply over half (53%) of vaccinated adults say they’re taking any of the precautions, in comparison with 4 in ten (39%) unvaccinated adults.
Related shares of youthful and older adults report that they are going to be taking a minimum of one precaution through the fall and winter. Nonetheless, 4 in ten (41%) adults ages 65 and older say they plan to keep away from giant gatherings, in comparison with a 3rd (33%) of these beneath the age of 65. Whereas youthful adults are much less more likely to say they may keep away from giant gatherings, bigger shares of youthful adults say they may take a take a look at for COVID-19 earlier than spending time with pals of household, with 21% who say so (together with 25% of these ages 18-29), in comparison with one in ten (10%) of these ages 65 and older.
