New Poll Data: 79% of Americans Support Routine Childhood Vaccine Requirements

A new poll from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation finds broad, bipartisan support for routine childhood vaccine requirements amid a multi-state measles outbreak. Nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults (79%)—including 90% of Democrats, 68% of Republicans, and 72% of parents—agree vaccines should be required for school entry.

 

Safety concerns were less common among opponents, who more often cited parental rights. Importantly, 91% of Americans believe routine childhood vaccines are safe. These findings offer a valuable opportunity for public health communicators to meet concerns with empathy and reinforce vaccination’s role in protecting community health. See the full report here.