AJPH Study Examines Political Differences in Perceptions of Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness

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Respondents perceived the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine as the safest and most effective and the COVID-19 vaccine as the least safe and effective

Vaccine perceptions can influence acceptance and uptake. Dr. Dror Walter, with the Department of Communication at Georgia State University in Atlanta, and colleagues examined these perceptions using data from a national probability sample of 1,763 US adults surveyed in November 2024. The study was published online in American Journal of Public Health on September 10, 2026. 

“Previous research examining associations with vaccine hesitancy has primarily measured perceptions of science and scientists in terms of trust. However, analyses of contemporary arguments on vaccine hesitancy suggest that resistance extends beyond mistrust or doubts about scientists’ competence,” says Dr. Walter.

Notably, respondents rated the MMR vaccine as the safest and most effective, while the COVID-19 vaccine received the lowest ratings for both safety and effectiveness. Republicans generally reported less favorable perceptions of vaccine safety and effectiveness than Democrats, particularly for the COVID-19 vaccine. The findings showed that positive views of science and scientists were associated with higher perceived safety and effectiveness of the MMR, flu, and COVID-19 vaccines. 

Explaining the value of this approach, Dr. Walter says, “Our analysis shows that perceiving scientists as unbiased mattered more in Republicans’ assessments of the COVID-19 vaccine’s effectiveness but less so (compared with Democrats) in the case of the MMR’s effectiveness. This difference is likely the result of attacks on the integrity of scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic from the right, as opposed to prepandemic concerns about the MMR vaccine from the left.”

Perceiving science as beneficial was the factor most consistently associated with positive vaccine evaluations across all three vaccines. This pattern suggests that communication emphasizing the tangible benefits of science and vaccines may be particularly effective, especially when tailored to audience concerns and political context.

Dr. Walter and colleagues conclude that understanding vaccine perceptions may benefit from examining both political affiliation and perceptions of science and scientists. This may offer practical insights for addressing vaccine concerns by guiding tailored communication strategies.

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The American Public Health Association champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With our broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, we influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.

About Georgia State University

Founded in 1913, Georgia State University is a premier public research institution centered in downtown Atlanta. As the state's largest in-person university, Georgia State University serves a highly diverse student body across 12 colleges and schools. It is nationally celebrated as a top leader in both innovation and undergraduate teaching and is recognized as the national model for student success.

About Dr. Dror Walter from Georgia State University

Dr. Dror Walter is an Associate Professor at the Department of Communication, Georgia State University, Atlanta. His research centers on the intersection of traditional media-effects theories and emerging computational social science methods. His current work focuses on two closely linked contexts: extremist political discourse (with an emphasis on political misinformation) and health misinformation (with an emphasis on public perceptions of science, scientists, and vaccination).