A new survey from Johns Hopkins University reveals that Americans who regularly consume news from right-wing media outlets are more than twice as likely to be hesitant about vaccines compared to those who rely on other sources. The findings, published Monday, underscore a growing divide in vaccine attitudes along political lines, with implications for public health amid ongoing measles outbreaks.
Key Findings of the Survey
The survey, which included 2,970 U.S. adults, found that just one in six respondents expressed hesitancy about the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, among those who primarily get news from conservative or alternative media, the rate of hesitancy was significantly higher. Researchers emphasized that while the majority still believe the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, media consumption patterns play a critical role in shaping attitudes.
Vaccine-hesitant adults were also more likely to rely on non-authoritative sources for health information, such as social media influencers and newsletters from the Children’s Health Defense, a nonprofit founded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic. These individuals were more likely to be younger, parents, less educated, lower-income, and from racial minority backgrounds. Nearly 40% identified as Republicans, and 33% as Independents.
Political and Media Influences
The survey highlighted that 43% of hesitant adults identified with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, compared to 27% of non-hesitant adults. Despite similar levels of overall news consumption—87% of participants followed the news regularly—non-hesitant adults were far less likely to seek out right-leaning new media channels or non-authoritative sources. The researchers suggested that reliance on expert sources may have a protective effect against vaccine hesitancy.
Impact on Vaccination Rates and Measles Outbreaks
Vaccine hesitancy has been linked to a decline in childhood vaccination rates nationwide over the past decade, contributing to the worst measles outbreaks in decades. The MMR vaccine is 97% effective against measles, which can cause severe complications like brain swelling and death, particularly in young children. During last year’s historic measles surge—the highest since the disease was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000—the majority of cases occurred in unvaccinated individuals.
However, past outbreaks in South Carolina and Texas have shown that vaccination efforts can help control spread. Dr. Brannon Traxler, deputy director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health, noted that “vaccination—combined with other opportunities for good, solid public health work—really can be effective, even against some of the most contagious viruses.”
Current Situation in Utah
Measles infections continue to spread in Utah, with 607 cases reported, 514 of which were in unvaccinated individuals. Many cases are linked to schools, and while Utah requires two doses of the MMR vaccine for public school students, parents can opt out for personal, religious, or medical reasons. The state’s non-medical exemption rate among young children is already higher than the national average, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Nationwide, vaccination coverage stands at 93%, below the 95% threshold needed to limit measles spread. Researchers stress that improving vaccination rates requires health communicators to guide Americans on where and how to find trustworthy vaccine information. As Amelia Jamison, an assistant research scientist at Johns Hopkins, stated, “With public health becoming increasingly polarized, it’s critical to understand people’s attitudes about vaccines, and this work suggests people’s media preferences play an outsized role in influencing those attitudes.”
