Most adults do not plan on getting COVID-19 shot amid vaccine policy changes
Poll results show that 23 percent of U.S. adults say they will 'probably not' get the vaccine, while 37 percent will 'definitely not' get the shot.
Americans who said they will 'probably' or 'definitely' not get the shot were also more likely to say they think changes to U.S. vaccine policy are 'major' and will make people less safe.
The data comes as the Trump administration makes drastic changes to the country's vaccine policy.
Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced earlier this year that the COVID-19 shot will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.
Kennedy also abruptly fired all 17 members of an independent vaccine advisory panel for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in June. He then replaced the panel with eight hand-picked appointees, many of whom have expressed vaccine skepticism in the past.
Adults who identify as Republicans are far less likely to plan on getting the vaccine compared to those who identify as Democrats.
About six out of 10 Republicans said they would 'definitely not' get the shot compared to about one out of 10 Democrats, according to the poll.
White adults are the most likely to say that they are against getting the vaccine once the colder months arrive with about four out of 10 admitting they will 'definitely not' get the shot.
Meanwhile, 32 percent of Black adults say they will 'definitely not' get the COVID-19 vaccine this fall, along with 30 percent of adults who identify as Hispanic.
Adults between the ages of 30 and 49 are the most likely to say that they do not plan on getting the vaccine, with 42 percent of that age group saying they will 'definitely not' get the shot in the fall.
The U.S. appears to be experiencing another summer wave of COVID-19 cases. As of July 29, COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 40 states, including Florida, Texas, and New York, according to the CDC.
The KFF poll was conducted via a national representative survey of about 1,300 people between July 8-14.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
4 minutes ago
- Medscape
Neoadjuvant vs Adjuvant Immunotherapy in Colon Cancer
The results of the phase III ATOMIC trial fired another volley in the ongoing debate over adjuvant vs neoadjuvant immunotherapy for patients with locally advanced colon cancer. But experts are divided about which treatment plan is the best. Adjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy has yet to square off against neoadjuvant immunotherapy in a head-to-head trial. Even if that trial doesn't happen, post hoc analyses of ATOMIC and the neoadjuvant NICHE-2 studies may clarify whether a one-size-fits-all approach is appropriate and help determine which patients benefit more from one approach over the other, according to Christopher Lieu, MD, an investigator in the ATOMIC study. The ATOMIC study showed that adding adjuvant immunotherapy to standard-of-care chemotherapy following resection reduced the risk for disease recurrence or death by 50% compared with chemotherapy alone in the 355 patients with stage III colon cancer with mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), who received adjuvant atezolizumab along with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) chemotherapy, providing those in the pro-adjuvant camp with important data. In addition, 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 86.4% with the combination compared with 76.6% with chemotherapy alone. The results of this trial were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025. 'These data established this combination as a new standard treatment for patients with stage III colon cancer and deficient mismatch repair,' said study author Frank A. Sinicrope, MD, during a press conference at the meeting. 'We regard this as a highly impactful study that will change clinical practice, and it actually represents the first immunotherapy adjuvant study in colon cancer.' In NICHE-2, patients were given neoadjuvant ipilimumab or nivolumab followed by surgical resection. At 3 years, 100% of all 111 patients treated with ipilimumab and nivolumab prior to surgery were recurrence-free, according to a presentation at last year's annual meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). The DFS beat the prespecified success threshold of 93%. Adding Immunotherapy The standard treatment for stage III colon cancer, regardless of dMMR status, is surgical resection followed by FOLFOX chemotherapy. However, about 15% of patients with stage III colon cancer have dMMR and display resistance to chemotherapy, providing a rationale for adding immunotherapies to standard treatment. 'These tumors are unable to repair their DNA and therefore accumulate mutations that trigger an immune response that is ineffective due to immune checkpoint proteins. Therefore, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors is very attractive in this setting,' Sinicrope said during the press briefing. Sinicrope is professor of medicine and oncology, and coleader of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Adjuvant Immunotherapy The ATOMIC trial is significant because it demonstrates improved DFS with the addition of immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy treatment, improving outcomes for patients with this type of locally advanced cancer over standard care. There are several rationales for adding immunotherapy following surgical resection. For example, staging relies on tumor appearance on CT scan, said Lieu, who is the codirector of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center in Aurora, Colorado. There are patients with dMMR or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colon cancer that appear to have stage I or II disease on their CT scan. 'In those patients, starting with immunotherapy first may not be the best idea because after a stage I or II colon cancer is resected, they don't require any further therapy because of the low risk of recurrence,' he said. 'If you think it is an early-stage cancer based of radiographic findings, you could cut out the cancer and then only offer chemotherapy and immunotherapy if it is unexpectedly stage III. I think that there's certainly rationale for that,' he continued. Other arguments for adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors, like atezolizumab, with chemotherapy include synergy between cytotoxic and immune mechanisms and systemic insurance against micrometastatic spread. It also avoids the potential for rare immune complications from upfront immunotherapy that could delay surgery. 'I don't think that [giving all patients neoadjuvant treatment] is the answer. If you think that they have stage I or stage II colon cancer at the beginning, then you might end up hurting them with upfront immunotherapy,' said Lieu. Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy The standard treatment for stage III colon cancer, regardless of dMMR status, is surgical resection followed by chemotherapy, FOLFOX and capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) are two of the most common regimens. However, chemotherapy can be hard on patients, making neoadjuvant immunotherapy that can reduce or eliminate the need for post-surgical chemotherapy very attractive. The data from the NICHE-2 trial support the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy. 'The data strongly suggest that neoadjuvant immunotherapy is better than adjuvant immunotherapy and that chemotherapy for dMMR colorectal cancer has limited activity,' said Michael J. Overman, MD, Associate Vice President of Research for the MD Anderson Cancer Network in Houston, in an interview. 'Thus, I am a believer that neoadjuvant is the preferred approach for dMMR localized cancers.' Lieu said neoadjuvant immunotherapy might be more appropriate for more aggressive disease. 'What we discuss in our multidisciplinary clinic is that if these patients are diagnosed prior to surgery and particularly if they have aggressive features…those are some of the patients that I really would consider for neoadjuvant therapy,' he said. 'While it's high-risk disease, there could be some benefit to down-staging the patient, so that there isn't a positive margin. If there's pathologic complete response…and you don't have to give adjuvant chemotherapy, most people would consider that to be a win.' Overman noted that 'a big open area relates to whether the goal of neoadjuvant therapy should be operation or no operation. Likely both approaches can be done and that would be up to patient and physician.' However, 'with a nonoperative approach, we still have unknowns regarding disease assessment and surveillance for neoadjuvant therapy.' Patient-Specific Care In the absence of data from a head-to-head trial of the two approaches, a patient-specific approach may be the appropriate strategy, Lieu suggested. 'If I had a take home message, it's just that it's clear that these patients really require multidisciplinary discussion before an operation,' he said. Molecular testing has an important role to play as well, said Lieu. 'It speaks to the importance of doing biomarker testing for MMR, MSI, or both. Alarm bells should be ringing as soon as [either or both come] back positive; it should make everyone think for a second and make sure we have the right plan for the right patients.' Sinicrope reported several relationships, including with Eli Lilly, Guardant Health, Roche Holdings AG, Ventana Medical Systems, and Woven Health Collective. Lieu reported relationships with Amgen and Genentech.
Associated Press
27 minutes ago
- Associated Press
LifeX Research Corporation is on a Mission To Bridge The Gap Between Raw Data and Meaningful Health Solutions
LifeX Research Corporation is dedicated to enhancing global well-being by delivering actionable national health insights and wellness market statistics. Atlanta, GA - August 4, 2025 - LifeX Research Corp is a wellness-focused research organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for working Americans. They collect and analyze health data from their team of employee-participants—whom they call research associates—to develop innovative, data-driven solutions for common health challenges. Their goal is to decrease healthcare expenses for the American workforce through proactive management of conditions that can impact quality of life. This involves collecting thorough wellness information, such as Health Risk Assessment profiles, lab test results, and medication records, from willing participants on our team. At LifeX, research associates are more than just employees - they play an integral role in innovative wellness initiatives aimed at addressing pressing health concerns such as diabetes management, weight optimization, and preventive care. By converting wellness participation into collaborative research, they are leading the way in healthcare enhancement using real-world data and empowered individuals. In an age where information shapes decisions, understanding the intricate web of health trends can lead to improved quality of life for individuals and communities alike. By obtaining in-depth knowledge of wellness trends, companies are able to customize their products and services to cater to the unique requirements of customers seeking either Major Medical Plans or HSA Plans. This information is also valuable for individuals, as it empowers them to select the most suitable VL Plans based on their lifestyle and financial objectives. The LifeX Research expanding menu of conditions researched: In today's world filled with endless options, the importance of making well-informed choices cannot be overstated. With the help of LifeX's research, individuals and organizations can gain clarity in the midst of complexity. This valuable information empowers better decision-making in areas such as health management and policy development, ultimately leading to improved global well-being through targeted solutions. Reasons LifeX is so sought after: LifeX utilizes actionable national health statistics and wellness market data to provide governments, organizations, and individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the current state of well-being. This information allows stakeholders to recognize patterns, address areas where healthcare services may be lacking, and implement customized solutions that effectively meet their individual needs. The impact is profound: improved public health initiatives lead to enhanced quality of life for citizens everywhere. Media Contact Company Name: LifeX Research Corp. Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email City: Atlanta State: GA Country: United States Website: Source: PRD Marketing Group
USA Today
34 minutes ago
- USA Today
Are you hot, fit and tan? Get ready for liberals to label you a MAGA fanatic.
Since President Donald Trump's return to the White House, I've noticed a steady stream of rhetoric that attempts to make health and fitness partisan. It's the heart of summer, and the days are long and toasty. Beaches on the coasts (or Lake Michigan, closer to where I live) are packed and clothing is minimal. Some people look good showing extra skin. Most of them don't. The reality is that more than 70% of Americans are overweight or obese, and the trend has been moving rapidly in the wrong direction, leading to a plethora of preventable health problems and costs associated with them. It's concerning, and the effort to combat obesity should be something we can all agree on. Sadly, it's not. Since President Donald Trump's return to the White House, I've noticed a steady stream of rhetoric that attempts to make health and fitness partisan. If you're fit and enjoy working out (or even sport a tan), chances are there's a progressive who will eye you with suspicion of being MAGA. Sydney Sweeney's jeans ad triggers liberals. She looks good. They don't. | Opinion It's an extreme example of the 'if-Trump-is-for-it, we-must-be-adamantly-against-it' mentality that has infected the left. To borrow a phrase from former Democratic vice presidential contender Tim Walz, it's weird. Trump wants kids to be more fit. Why is that a negative? Trump brought physical fitness into the limelight on July 31 by signing an executive order reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test for America's public school students. The test had been around for decades until the 2012-13 school year, when President Barack Obama replaced it. The order states: 'We must address the threat to the vitality and longevity of our country that is posed by America's declining health and physical fitness. For far too long, the physical and mental health of the American people has been neglected.' The rise in obesity and the decline in health is especially disheartening when it comes to the country's kids. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2024 report, about 20% of children are obese (2 in 5 adults are obese). That's a sharp increase from when childhood obesity rates were 5% in the 1970s. Not only is this a national health concern, it's a national security one, as Trump acknowledges in his executive order. The CDC report found that only 2 in 5 young adults are weight-eligible and active enough to serve in the military. 'The military has experienced increasing difficulty in recruiting soldiers as a result of physical inactivity, obesity, and malnutrition among our nation's youth,' retired Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling said in the report. Yet, Trump's commonsense approach to boost fitness was met with consternation among media progressives. 'Trump is reviving an outdated and problematic practice for American schoolkids,' proclaimed MSNBC. 'Generations of Americans who struggled to complete a pull-up in front of their classmates winced as President Trump announced that he was reinstating the annual assessment,' The New York Times opined. Opinion: Trump is racking up GOP wins no one else could. What do Never Trumpers say now? Doing Pilates does not make you an authoritarian. Nor does having a tan. Leftists also have thoughts about fitness for adults and what it says about conservatism. Earlier this year, fitness influencer MaryBeth Monaco-Vavrik posted a video that went viral connecting the 'popularization of Pilates & running instead of strength training … and the rise of extreme American authoritarianism.' She also equated conservatism with 'smaller bodies.' Leno's right: Colbert got canned because Americans are tired of left's lectures | Opinion Men, on the other hand, must avoid looking too manly and the trap of toxic masculinity and the "manosphere," which liberals tell us have flourished under Trump. For instance, actor Sacha Baron Cohen's appearance on the August cover of Men's Fitness UK sparked criticism over his newly chiseled body. One headline said his physique 'is repellent to most women.' (It must be because I'm a conservative woman, but I found Baron Cohen's new look the opposite of repellent.) In 2024, a columnist in The Guardian warned, 'There is a dark side to wellness, which I always, for shorthand, thought of as political: getting fit makes you more rightwing.' And now, enjoying sunshine and getting a tan could mark you as a MAGA fanatic. After all, Trump and his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sport a perennial bronze shade. As The Atlantic recently observed: 'Tanning is back. Only this time, it's not just about looking good − it's about embracing an entire ideology.' I'd wager the vast majority of people who are fit and spend time outdoors do so because they know it's beneficial for their health and simply enjoy it. It has nothing to do with Trump or how they vote. Progressives trying to demonize fitness to "get back" at Trump are hurting themselves − and the next generations of Americans. Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@ or on X: @Ingrid_Jacques
