The public is deeply skeptical about any coronavirus vaccine approved before the November election, and only 42% would be willing to get a vaccine in that scenario, according to a new poll.
The results of the poll by KFF reveal widespread concern that the Trump administration will bring pressure on drug regulators to approve a vaccine before the election without ensuring it is safe and effective. (KHN is an editorially independent program of KFF.)
Six of 10 adults said they were worried the Food and Drug Administration will rush to allow a vaccine because of political pressure. The concern is held by 85% of Democrats, 35% of Republicans and 61% of independent voters.
Resistance to taking the vaccine is strong among respondents of all stripes, with 60% of Republicans saying they would not want to be inoculated if a vaccine were available before the Nov. 3 election. Among Democrats, 46% would decline the vaccine.
The wariness may reflect the ongoing political jockeying over a vaccine, and it may also be influenced by strains of general anti-vaccine sentiment in the populace. The Trump administration has suggested a vaccine could be ready by November, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has instructed states to be prepared to distribute a vaccine by Nov. 1.
Democrats have raised fears that President Donald Trump is trying to accelerate vaccine approval to boost his reelection chances. Forty-three percent of the public approves of Trump’s handling of the pandemic — an improvement since July, when just a third liked his response.
Partisans are largely united in doubting that a vaccine will be available before the presidential election, with 81% expecting it will take longer. The poll found the public divided on whether the worst of the pandemic is over or still to come, although optimism has increased since July. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans said the virus, which has stricken more than 6 million and killed more than 190,000 people in the U.S., is not a major problem and won’t become one.
Trust in the government’s health experts and institutions has become highly partisan, the poll found. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the CDC have the widest level of trust, with more than two-thirds of Americans believing they are providing reliable information. But the credibility of both has decreased since April.
Only 48% of Republicans trust Fauci, while 70% trust Dr. Deborah Birx, the response coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, who has remained in Trump’s good graces more than has Fauci. Conversely, 86% of Democrats have confidence in Fauci while only 44% trust Birx.
Democrats still trust the CDC more than Republicans do, but more than half of Democrats say the CDC and the FDA pay too much attention to politics. Overall, only 43% of the public says the two agencies pay the appropriate amount of attention to science.
The poll also found that intense hostility to the Affordable Care Act among Republicans has decreased substantially since the 2018 midterm elections. Only 5% of Republicans in September identified repealing the ACA as the most important health issue influencing their vote, down from 18% in October 2018.
The survey found nearly half of the public holds at least one misconception about coronavirus treatment. Twenty percent said that a face mask is dangerous to wear, and 24% said hydroxychloroquine, a drug touted by Trump but not yet validated by rigorous studies, is an effective treatment for COVID-19. Just more than half of Republicans believe in hydroxychloroquine and a third say face masks are ineffective.
Fourteen percent of Americans believe there is already a cure for the coronavirus.
The telephone poll was conducted Aug. 28-Sept. 3 among a nationally representative random sample of 1,199 adults. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.
–Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News
HappyHappyJoyJoy says
I’m sorry but they just “learned” of this virus in January. At least that is when the genome made its way around the science circles. It took what, 1-2 months before they had a working vaccine (practically a record since it was just “discovered”).
One of two things is happening here:
1. They had the genome longer than the general public realized. I mean Trump knew it was airborne BEFORE the WHO saw evidence and released those findings. Trump even knew it was 5x deadlier than the most horrific flu. Not sure I believe anything we are “told” anymore, especially from this administration.
2. They are rushing this because Trump, a vaccine skeptic, and someone that is anti-science (say he’s not and I have the perfect snow-capped mountain in FL for you to buy), thinks a vaccine will help him win re-election. This, coming from a man who has a history of saying vaccines are just a means of implanting tracking devices or extracting our DNA for a database, is not something I trust. I’m not saying the scientists themselves are corrupt but anyone can be bought or manipulated. Look at the DHS and the most recent claims of pressure to change info to match Heir Trump’s claims. Or the CDC having their data reviewed by someone In Trump’s inner circle that has NO science background and then changing it so COVID doesn’t appear as bad, especially in children.
Now they are saying it could take 2 doses of the vaccine. If that’s the case they won’t have enough doses until 2024. Think it’s two doses and you’re done? Think again. It’ll be two doses every year. This isn’t the measles vaccine. COVID will begin a proper mutation once enough people have become infected and it will do so in a way that it will circumvent the vaccine and reinfect others that already had it. A good virus will do this. Why do you think there are multiple strains of Ebola? The flu? E-coli? A virus wants to live and a good one will find a way. All this vaccine talk is just false hope for something that will not happen safely in less than 6 weeks time. There has not been enough testing. Period.
I, for one, will not be first in line for this vaccine. What are the long-term side effects? How do you know I’ll really be protected? It created an immune response, great. All that means is they have the formula correct for the body’s immune system to know there is something invasive and it needs to act. They have never answered how effective it is, is it 70%, 80%, or 50%? What happens if you need two doses? What are the side effects of having double injections? There are far too many questions for me to feel safe. Maybe this time next year after we see what happens to people that have taken this will I think about taking it. And no, I’m not an anti-vaxxer, I’m a science believer but there is something about this vaccine that just doesn’t feel right.
Outsider says
It’s going to happen when it’s going to happen. Who cares who believes what?
mark101 says
I would be wary about a vaccine regardless if we had an election or not. Even if Biden was in office. A vaccine should not be a “campaign promise from either party now or after the election, it should be a scientific medically validated vaccine that actually works.
Steve says
Well I am no Detective but with a mountain of evidence pointing to the fact this thing we have in office is a pathological liar I would refuse it. Let him and his Family take it firs t. He will do anything to get ReElected. Gee I wonder why?? lol
CB from PC says
Having worked for a pharmaceutical company, I have first hand knowledge of this.
There are Adverse Drug Reactions to virtually every pharmaceutical and vaccine available. They occur during both Clinical Trials and after FDA approval.
When the numbers of recipients, such as after FDA Approval, ramp up, so do the percentages of ADR.
Actually having Adverse Drug Reactions occurring during Clinical Trials to a control group is much better than it occurring after introduced for general population consumption.
And how many of you have experienced illness after receiving your annual flu shot?
There will be no rush to release something which has not been methodically and rigidly tested. The legal stakes are too high for companies from lawsuits.
Combat Vet says
Here’s a good idea. Have all the Democrats refuse the vaccine so us Republicans can get it first.
Jimbo99 says
Asymptomatic and it would appear that the human immune system is already ahead of the experts on a vaccine. Where is the reporting on co-morbidities. To understand this they have to be gathering that data/information as well. They don’t want us to know that ? How the mostly elderly or even the younger victims are passing away ? Coronavirus is real, so are the issues those folks faced before getting Coronavirus.
Agkistrodon says
Always something with some people…..SAD.
MD says
People rant and rave about anything our President does, or does not do. If a vaccine was not close to public release, people would be ranting and raving anyhow.
Agkistrodon says
I ain’t scared. I’ll take it. I served a career in the military and homesec, and I’ll take it. The test of you can huddle in your corners. You complained for masks, most wear them, then you changed your agenda. What’s next, full body codoms?
Mike Cocchiola says
Here’s a better idea… all of you Republicans start wearing protective masks and practice social distancing. Maybe stay away from Trump’s COVID-19 celebrations.
Bill says
LOL just another Trump HATING article. Like Trump has anything to do with Actually making this drug. I believe many/most sane people would not want to take this right away. Something that has been fast tracked like this. I guess those who say its Trumps and wont take it would be fine taking it the day after (GOD forbid) Hiden Biden take the oval Office even thou he had lees to do with its making then Trump.
Dennis C Rathsam says
All u liberal never Trumpers, are all phonies. The FDA would never let a bad vaccine into the US! You want to blame Trump, for everything…Total nonsense! Trump doesnt control the scientists making the vaccine, nor does he control when its released. All U fools should open your eyes wide, then maybe you can see your nose! This president has done more for the USA, than Obama did. Look at the facts, Promises made….Promises kept God Bless America!
Richard says
I agree with Combat Vet! I am republican and will be the FIRST one in line to receive the vaccine locally when it becomes available. All of those democrats can hole up in their basements cowering from fear. Or maybe it can be arranged for the democrats to receive placebos instead. LMFAO
Ron says
Yes Covid 19 is real. I personally know of people in the test group for the phase 3 trails. So far so good. Do you really think that these companies will allow a vaccine to come out before approval due to political pressure? I do not think so. This is another attack on a President that actually works for the people. Most of these politicians from both parties are in it for them selves. I am still trying to figure out how I can become a multi millionaire making 174 K a year. I for one will get vaccinated as soon as they have a proven scientific vaccine.
Mark says
Don’t worry, Biden will save us.
Ken says
I would rather be locked down on stay at home order with the economy shut down for another year than take a vaccine that was rushed threw.
CB from PC says
Ok, just as soon as you go and make sure all “protest” participants do the same. You obviously do not watch much footage of street parties, riots, etc. No social distancing and masks at those events.
And you don’t have to worry about people”s safety at the Democrat party’s candidate celebration, There is no one there.
Local says
Through….is the correct word.
So if the vaccine is available on Nov 15 you guys are ok with taking it? What about Dec 2? When Trump is reelected will you have to wait 4 more years to take it? If Biden is elected is it ok to take Nov 10?
Not a unicorn says
If anyone is ranting and raving it is trump. He watches faux news like it is his full time job. Nine hours? WTH, he actually offered up this information. The rest of the time he is twittering his latest meltdown for the world to see. He’s supposed to be actively running the country not driving it into the ground while he rages at everyone and everything, blaming them for his own inadequacies. He denigrates our men and women of the military. I guess that’s ok with you though.
Oh yeah, he does do an awful lot of golfing though which is also on the back of taxpayers, some of whom lay dying or are sickened. Possibly with permanent damage to their lungs, heart, kidneys, I don’t know, pick one. It’s Russian roulette While people have lost their jobs, not to mention the some odd 200,000 deaths that happened while he sat watching tv, cutting checks for his rich banker friends.
Also, BTW being in the cult of Trump does not provide protection from COVID. So, keep your distance. Nobody wants to smell your unwashed hair. Disgusting.
Trump/Covid 2020 says
LOL…yeah the Drumph administration would never allow the FDA to do that. Never heard of an emergency use authorization eh?
FDA pushed through scores of inaccurate antibody tests without agency review.
“The Food and Drug Administration is dealing with a flood of inaccurate coronavirus antibody tests after it allowed more than 120 manufacturers and labs to bring the tests to market without an agency review.”
“Public health experts say the FDA shouldn’t have waived its reviews of antibody tests and are calling on it to crack down. To date, the FDA has granted a formal emergency use authorization, in which it reviews data from manufacturers, to just seven of the tests.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/27/reliable-antibody-tests-coronavirus-207589
Those damn public health expert Liberals!
Why would any Republican want the vaccine? It’s all a hoax and those hydroxychloroquine and bleach injections not working?
I have to wonder how many Drumph supporters have a twin sibling because there’s no way one person could be so dumb.