Three years into the pandemic, COVID-19 remains a top concern for many Americans surveyed by the University of South Florida.
The academic institution conducted a survey of 2,500 American adults to gauge attitudes related to COVID-19, including opinions about vaccination, exposure/belief in vaccine-related misinformation, and concerns about future potential epidemics.
This report presents the main results, including the main differences based on political affiliation.
While just 10% of Americans now say COVID-19 poses a “high risk” to the general public, an additional 44% say it poses at least a “moderate risk.”
More than half (58%) say they are at least “somewhat worried” about new variants of the virus, while 61% are worried about the possibility of a new spike in cases.
Almost two-thirds (61%) say they are concerned about the potential of experiencing “long COVID” symptoms if they contract the virus.
Misinformation about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines remains prevalent after two years.
A significant number of Americans express some degree of belief in various statements classified as “false” by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The following list shows the percentage of respondents who said each statement was “probably” or “definitely true”:
• Getting sick with COVID-19 boosts immunity than getting vaccinated: 55%
• Vaccines against COVID-19 cause the emergence of new variants of the virus: 43%
• COVID-19 vaccines contain a “live strain” of the virus: 42%
• Vaccines can make you sick with COVID-19: 35%
• A COVID-19 vaccine will cause you to temporarily test “positive” for the virus: 34%
• COVID-19 vaccines can cause infertility: 24%
• COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips: 13%
About a third of Americans say they still don’t trust the safety of COVID-19 vaccines or the advice provided by public health officials. Just under a third of respondents (31%) say they are “very” or “not at all sure” that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.
Additionally, 36% say they have “not much” or “not at all confidence” in “COVID-19 guidance provided by the CDC and public health officials.”
Attitudes towards the pandemic, including vaccination, remain sharply divided on the basis of political identity/affiliation. There were marked differences of opinion between the political groups.
Democrats expressed increased confidence in public health guidelines and vaccine safety/effectiveness.
In contrast, Republicans were less likely to express concern about the pandemic and more suspicious of public health and vaccine safety/effectiveness officials.
Here are some examples :
• COVID-19 poses a “high” or “moderate” risk to the public: Democrats = 71%; Independent = 50%; Republicans = 40%.
• “Very” or “somewhat sure” that COVID-19 vaccines are safe: Democrats = 88%; Independent = 67%; Republicans = 49%.
• “Very” or “fairly sure” of public health advice: Democrats = 89%; Independent = 62%; Republicans = 43%.
• “Very” or “somewhat worried” about a further increase in cases: Democrats = 81%; Independent = 58%; Republicans = 47%.
• “Very likely” to receive regular COVID-19 reminders: Democrats = 61%; Independent = 35%; Republicans = 25%.
A slight majority of respondents think COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children. 57% of respondents say childhood vaccines are necessary to prevent COVID-19, while 54% say they are effective and 55% think they are safe.
74.9% of respondents identified as White/Caucasian.
The survey was conducted between February 27 and March 9, 2023.