Nearly Half of All Republicans Polled Say They Will NEVER Get Covid Vaccine
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Vaccine hesitancy among White conservatives has been a well-reported story over the past few weeks, but a new poll reveals just how strident that many are holding their beliefs that getting a Covid-19 vaccine is a bad idea. A new poll reveals that 43% of individuals who identify as Republicans will NEVER get the vaccination, while only 5% of those who called themselves Democrats say the same.
From the Monmouth report:
“The number of people who have been skittish about the vaccine has dropped as more Americans line up for the shot, but the hard core group who want to avoid it at all costs has barely budged. The recent news about J&J vaccines is probably not going to help that situation. On the other hand, it might not make it all that much worse since much of this reluctance is really ingrained in partisan identity,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Partisanship remains the main distinguishing factor among those who want to avoid the vaccine altogether, with 43% of Republicans versus just 5% of Democrats saying this. Currently, 22% of independents say they want to avoid getting the vaccine altogether. Demographically, adults under age 65 (25%) continue to be more likely than seniors (11%) to rule out getting the vaccine. There are no discernable differences by race, though, with similar number of whites (22%) and people of color (20%) saying they will avoid getting the vaccine if they can.
Just over half (51%) of the adult population reports having already received at least one Covid jab and another 14% say they will get the vaccine as soon as they are allowed. Democrats (67%) are more likely than independents (47%) and Republicans (36%) to report being vaccinated. More white Americans (54%) than people of color (45%) report having already received a shot.
The Biden Administration has often acknowledged the problem with White conservatives’ hesitancy to get vaccinated and admitted that they may not be the best ambassadors in such a highly tribalized period of time. The recently passed Covid Relief Bill includes a $3 billion line item designed to promote vaccines to those unwilling and Press Secretary Jen Psaki recently announced that the White House efforts included outreach to evangelical communities as well as media outlets that included The 700 Club, The Deadliest Catch, and NASCAR.
