88% of U.S. parents trust doctor’s vaccine recommendations

The results of a public opinion bipartisan poll of U.S. voters were released by the Partnership to Fight Infectious Diseases (PFID), revealing the overwhelming majority of American voters support maintaining broad access to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccines—a sentiment that crosses political lines.

The survey, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Lake Research Partners on behalf of the PFID, found that 74% of registered voters believe that the U.S. should prioritize keeping vaccines widely available to everyone. The poll also revealed overwhelming support for continued American leadership in vaccine development, with 81% of respondents favoring a strong national role in advancing new vaccine technologies.

“Vaccines remain a critical public health issue with support from voters across the political spectrum,” Neil Newhouse, partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, said in a news release. “It’s important to recognize that, despite political differences, Americans recognize a fundamental need to protect themselves, their families and their communities through vaccines.”

Of the 1,386 registered voters surveyed, 70% expressed concern that fewer children are receiving vaccines.

A particularly notable aspect of the study was the near-universal trust that American voters place in their health care providers. More than half of all respondents said they place “a great deal of weight” on their doctor’s opinion regarding vaccine decisions—a figure that rises even further among parents.

The data showed that 88% of Americans with children under the age of 18 reported that they always or sometimes vaccinate their children based on their doctor’s recommendations, while 77% of respondents said they follow the same guidance for themselves.

“Despite political divides on some health issues, it is heartening to see a clear consensus around the importance of vaccines in protecting American families,” said David Mermin, a partner at Lake Research Partners. “Ensuring access to accurate information and maintaining trust in health care providers will be key to sustaining this support."

The poll’s release comes at a moment of heightened scrutiny over the nation’s public health leadership—and how that leadership could influence the American public. This week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. completed two confirmation hearings—in front of the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee—as President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Kennedy, who has a storied history of vaccine skepticism, has raised concerns among public health experts and policymakers about the potential implications his leadership and heightened levels of influence, might have on national immunization programs. It’s been argued that his well-documented doubts about vaccine efficacy and safety could conflict with decades of scientific progress on the benefits of immunization, emboldening vaccine skeptics and complicating efforts to address vaccine hesitancy.

However, this latest data reveals significant public confidence in vaccines. This widespread favorability underscores that, amid political debates, Americans remain committed to evidence-based public health measures—reinforcing the nation’s resolve to safeguard its communities through vaccination efforts.

“This poll underscores a fundamental truth: protecting our health through vaccination is not a partisan issue,” said Candace DeMatteis, PFID policy director. “Notably, vaccines like the ones for polio, measles and many other serious pathogens are widely regarded as vital for public health. Americans understand the benefits of vaccines in safeguarding our children and communities, and we must continue to prioritize access to vaccines and to credible scientific information to inform decisions.”