New COVID-19 Monovalent Vaccine Could Face Resistance, KFF Poll Finds

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The latest KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor poll has unveiled a mixed picture of public response to the newly recommended COVID-19 vaccine, with nearly half of adults expressing their intention to get the shot. However, the poll also highlights hesitancy among parents regarding vaccinating their children, along with notable partisan divisions in vaccine intentions.

According to the poll's findings, 23% of all adults surveyed stated that they would "definitely" get the new COVID-19 vaccine, while an additional 23% indicated they would "probably" get it. In contrast, 19% said they would "probably not" get it, and 33% stated they would "definitely not" get the vaccine.

This survey's results show a higher level of public intention to receive the new seasonal COVID-19 vaccine compared to the percentage of individuals who have received previous booster shots. However, this enthusiasm still falls short of the initial vaccine uptake observed in 2020.

Of note, 37% of individuals who had previously received a COVID-19 vaccine expressed doubts about getting the new shot, emphasizing the population's lingering hesitancy.

Partisan divide

The survey highlights demographic trends, indicating that older adults, specifically those aged 65 years and older, exhibited the highest willingness to receive the new vaccine, with 64% expressing their intention to do so. Additionally, Democrats displayed a notably high willingness, with 70% indicating they would "definitely" or "probably" get the new vaccine.

Of note, 37% of individuals who had previously received a COVID-19 vaccine expressed doubts about getting the new shot, emphasizing the population's lingering hesitancy.

In contrast, a significant partisan divide persists, with only 24% of Republicans expressing their intention to receive the new COVID-19 vaccine, representing a substantial 46-point gap compared to Democrats. The survey also revealed a disparity in confidence levels between Democrats and Republicans regarding vaccine safety. While 84% of Democrats expressed confidence in the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, only 36% of Republicans shared the same sentiment.

Parents are reluctant

Despite the new COVID-19 vaccine being recommended for children aged 6 months and older, parents displayed reluctance in vaccinating their children. Fewer than 4 in 10 parents expressed their intent to get the vaccine for their children in various age groups, including ages 12-17 years (39%), ages 5-11 years (36%), and ages 6 months through 4 years (34%). Over half of parents in each pediatric age group stated they probably or definitely wouldn't get their children vaccinated.

The poll also revealed that a larger proportion of eligible individuals planned to get an annual flu shot and a newly recommended vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) compared to the COVID-19 vaccine. For example, 58% of adults reported they had already received or expected to get a flu shot, while 60% of adults aged 60 and older expressed their intention to get the new RSV vaccine recommended for their age group.

This article first appeared on partner website Medical Economics.

Source: Poll: Nearly half of adults expect to get the new COVID-19 vaccine, but most parents don’t expect to get it for their children; more eligible adults expect to get a flu shot and the new RSV vaccine. News release. Kaiser Family Foundation. September 27, 2023. Accessed September 27, 2023. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/press-release/poll-nearly-half-of-adults-expect-to-get-the-new-covid-19-vaccine/