Vaccine Monitor: Vaccination Rates Continue to Inch Upwards Across Groups, Especially Among Hispanic Adults, But Few Who Are Eager to Get a Shot Remain Unvaccinated

4 in 10 parents say their teenage children have already been or will be shot right away; A quarter of parents of children under the age of 12 will be vaccinated as soon as they are eligible

Few unvaccinated adults say the CDC guidelines for vaccinated adults increase their chances of getting a shot

Virtually all adults who want to get a COVID-19 vaccine have already received at least one shot as COVID-19 vaccination rates are a few inches higher this month. The surge is greatest among Hispanic adults, according to a new report from the KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor.

The report shows that 62% of adults said they received at least one dose, up from 56% in April, while the proportion of those who say they want to get a shot “as soon as possible” rose from 9% in April has dropped to 4%. now.

Another 12% say they want to wait and see how the vaccines work for others before getting a shot themselves, which has decreased slightly since April (15%). Within the waiting group, around a third (36% or 4% of all adults) stated that they had already arranged a vaccination appointment or were planning to do so within the next three months. If this group and those who want a vaccine “as soon as possible” were given a vaccine, it could bring the overall adult vaccination rate to 70% in the summer.

"There is almost no low hanging fruit at this point, but there is a path to a slow but steady increase in vaccination rates through improved access, information, advocacy and incentives," said Drew Altman, President and CEO of KFF.

The size of the two most reluctant groups also remains broadly unchanged from April. 7% said they would be vaccinated "only when needed" for work, school or other activities, and 13% said they would "definitely not" be vaccinated.

Self-reported vaccination rates rose in most populations, including Hispanic adults (57% versus 47% in April) and those without a college degree (55% versus 48%). At least half of adults in most demographic subgroups report having been vaccinated.

One group whose excitement seems to have stalled over the past month are Republicans, of whom around half (49%) say they received at least one dose of vaccine and 27% say they "definitely won't" be vaccinated.

For adolescents aged 12-17 who are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, 4 in 10 (41%) parents with children in this age group say their child is already receiving at least one dose (24%) or will receive one immediately (18%).

Parents of younger children who are still unable to get a vaccine are less eager at this point. Around a quarter (26%) say they will have their child vaccinated once they are eligible, while a third (33%) say they will see how well it works for others first. Smaller proportions state that they would only vaccinate their younger children when needed (14%) or that they would definitely not get them vaccinated (26%).

Parents' views on the COVID-19 vaccine do not necessarily reflect more general vaccine concerns. Only 11% of parents say they have ever delayed or skipped other vaccines for their children.

Full FDA Approval of COVID-19 Vaccine Among Top Potential Motivators

There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States under an emergency clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A major potential motivator for people would be if the FDA granted full approval to one or more of these vaccines.

The Monitor finds that 32% of unvaccinated adults, including 44% of those who wait and see, say they would be more likely to be vaccinated if a vaccine received full FDA approval.

In addition, one in five (21%) employed and unvaccinated people say they are more likely to get a vaccine if their employer gives them paid time off to get vaccinated and recover from side effects.

Other potential motivators to encourage vaccination may have a more modest impact on vaccination in unvaccinated adults. This includes being offered $ 100 by their state government (15% say it would make them more likely to be vaccinated); Offer free transport from a car pool agency (13%); Free tickets for a sporting event or concert (11%); and a $ 20 food or drink coupon is offered (10%).

These incentives are more likely to affect some groups where vaccination rates have lagged, including black and Hispanic adults and those with lower household incomes.

4 in 10 Let's say the CDC's Safe Conduct Guidelines are confusing

The monitor also measures the initial public response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on May 13 that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a mask or physical distance in most circumstances.

In public, a majority (54%) say the CDC guidelines are clear and easy to follow, while just over four in ten (43%) say the guidelines are confusing and difficult to follow. The distribution is similar in both vaccinated and unvaccinated adults. Among partisans, Republicans are more likely to say the guidelines are confusing (56%) than Democrats (39%) or Independents (37%).

Among those who are not vaccinated, a large majority (85%) say the CDC guidelines don't affect their enthusiasm for vaccination, although one in ten says it does make them more likely and a smaller one Share (4%) say this makes them less likely.

The KFF Vaccine Monitor survey, designed and analyzed by pollsters from the KFF, was conducted from May 18th to 25th among a nationally representative sample of 1,526 adults with free choice. The interviews were conducted in English and Spanish by landline (248) and mobile phone (1,278). The margin of error in the sample is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the entire sample. Results based on subgroups may have a higher sampling error rate.

The KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor is an ongoing research project that tracks public attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccinations. Using a combination of surveys and qualitative research, this project tracks the dynamics of public opinion during the development and diffusion of vaccines, including the trust and acceptance of vaccines, the need for information, trusted ambassadors and messages, and the public's experience with vaccines.