Pew Research Center: Americans maintain belief that childhood vaccines have positive value

Fewer than half in U.S. rate COVID-19 vaccines as having high health benefits, low risk of side effects

Americans remain steadfast in their belief in the overall value of childhood vaccines, with no change over the last four years in the large majority who say the benefits of childhood vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) outweigh the risks, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

The Summary:

1. What Americans think about the MMR vaccines

Americans’ positive evaluations of MMR vaccines remain largely steady in wake of debate over coronavirus vaccines

Partisan differences widen over requiring MMR vaccines in K-12 schools

Parents of children under 18 see slightly higher risks from MMR vaccines than other adults

Majorities of Americans see positive societal impact from childhood vaccines, though about four-in-ten wonder if they are all necessary

Most parents report that their children have received an MMR vaccine

Doctors are trusted at least some as sources of information about the health effects of MMR vaccines

Interviews with those concerned about MMR vaccines reveal desires to rely on multiple sources of information, ones with trustworthy motives

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2. What Americans think about COVID-19 vaccines

62% of Americans say positives of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh negatives, though sizable shares see modest health benefits and meaningful risks

34% of U.S. adults say they have had a recent booster shot; about as many say they are fully vaccinated but have had no recent booster

Americans’ appreciation, ambivalence both evident in the sentiments they use to describe COVID-19 vaccines 

Fewer than a third of Americans now express concern about getting a serious case of COVID-19

In-depth interviews reveal ongoing concerns about safety of COVID-19 vaccines and frustrations over requirements to get them

Older Americans more likely to say they have had a flu shot this season

Americans are divided over the value of medical treatments today

Read the full report, below: