Our new poll shows just how much GOP voters have diverged from everyone else on vaccines

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Republicans differ greatly on their views on the benefits of vaccines

Link to tweet

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/23/gop-voters-vaccines-poll-00117125

Vaccine skepticism has found a home in the post-pandemic GOP. And it’s not just related to the Covid shot.

Before 2020, polls showed little overall difference along partisan lines on issues related to vaccination, such as whether students should be inoculated against measles to attend public schools. But since Covid, Republican voters have diverged from everyone else.

A new POLITICO | Morning Consult poll, conducted as part of POLITICO’s ongoing series about the rising anti-vax movement, shows Republican voters are less likely than Democrats or independents to say vaccines are safe for children. It also shows that as many Republicans now say they care more about the risks of vaccines than they do about the health benefits......

Among Democratic voters, 76 percent said they “care more about potential health benefits than the potential health risks of vaccines.” But among Republicans, it’s split evenly: 51 percent care more about the potential health risks, while 49 percent care more about the benefits.


.....In fact, the Republican voters who are most uneasy about vaccines are more likely to vote for Trump than other candidates, despite his role in developing the Covid shot. A third of Trump-supporting Republicans (34 percent) said vaccines in general are unsafe for children under 18. That’s double the share of Republicans supporting one of his opponents in the primary, only 17 percent, who said most vaccines aren’t safe for kids.

[emulatorloo]

1. Seems like Anti-Vaxers falsely declared victory and act like they've proven Covid didn't exist.

Case in point, Ron DeSantis.

[brush]

2. It's sad and nonsensical, but if they want to endanger their health...

by not getting vaxxed, that costs votes for republicans.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. The Part About Kids Is Distressing, Though

If adults want to needlessly risk their health, I'm with you completely.
But, one in 6 people (including 1 in 9 dems) don't follow guidance for their kids' protection.
That's problematic.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. I'm Discouraged By Independents, Too

More than 2 in 5 indies are more worried about risks than benefits.
They essentially match the total!
I'm also a bit surprised at 24% dems being more concerned about risk than embracing the benefit. Almost 1 in 4 dems? That is surprisingly high, to me.
The part about kids at the end of the snip is particularly distressing.
I'm a little more encouraged at the breakdown around the safety of the COVID vax. Same with the numbers on parents wanting their kids vaxxed, but again surprised that 1 in 9 dems don't follow CDC guidance on vaccines fir children.
Overall, I find it annoying that vaccine skepticism has become so firmly rooted.

[ms liberty]

5. That might be a losing issue for them long term.