A growing number of Americans are skeptical of vaccines against COVID and other infectious diseases, according to the latest national health survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
According to a press release, more than a quarter of respondents (28%) believe that COVID-19 vaccines have contributed to thousands of deaths. This is an increase from 22% in June 2021.
Meanwhile, 22% of respondents said they thought it was safer to get COVID than to get vaccinated, up from 10% in April 2021.
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Additionally, 15% of Americans said they believe the vaccine “changes people’s DNA,” up from 8% since the last survey.
The survey collected feedback from nearly 1,500 U.S. adults.
A growing number of Americans are skeptical of vaccines against COVID and other infectious diseases, according to the latest national health survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. (iStock)
“Belief in these three misconceptions is associated with increased vaccine hesitancy,” Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center and director of the survey, said in the statement.
The survey also found that only 20% of people are “somewhat or very concerned” that they or a family member will get COVID, down from 25% in February 2024 and 35% in October 2023, the researchers said.
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The results come just after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the updated COVID vaccines.
“With the CDC reporting that COVID-19 infection remains an ongoing threat and an updated vaccine available, now is the time to increase awareness of both the value of COVID-19 vaccination and the risks of contracting the disease,” Jamieson added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s researchers for comment.
The results come just after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the updated COVID vaccines. (PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, was not involved in the investigation but commented on its findings on Fox News Digital.
“The dominant narrative continues to focus on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, but it is important to take a closer look at the bigger picture, particularly when considering the risks and benefits of vaccination versus natural immunity, especially in 2024,” he said.
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