Black people are the most hesitant, with 41% of poll respondents reporting hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine. This is due to both confidence and convenience issues. There is a long history of medical abuse of Black bodies from slavery to the present day, ranging from the Tuskeegee Syphilis Trials to everyday racism as Black peoples’ symptoms are continuously not taken seriously. As a result, confidence in the healthcare industry is understandably lacking. Additionally, convenience is an issue as many Black people work frontline jobs and often can’t take time off to get vaccinated. This is why it’s important for employers to give paid time off to allow employees to receive vaccines. There is also still some confusion about who is eligible to receive the vaccine. According to the KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor, lack of information about the vaccine, including eligibility, is still a determining factor of whether Hispanic adults get vaccinated or not.

Republicans are the most hesitant, with 44% indicating so when polled. This is seen as a result of vaccinations becoming politicized. Counties with the most vaccine-hesitant people generally also voted for Donald Trump. Concerns are mostly around confidence and a sense of complacency. There’s uncertainty about side effects and whether the vaccine is effective. Some also don’t think COVID-19 will impact them and thus don’t see a need for getting the vaccine. Confusion about mask mandates at the beginning of the pandemic helped spread misinformation about the virus and vaccine mandates are being pushed against with concerns over individual rights.

The 18-34 age group is the most hesitant. According to KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor, around ¼ of 18-29 year olds want to wait and see how the vaccine is working. Furthermore, a lot of information has been circulated about how harmful COVID-19 is to older adults. Complacency is part of this, as less concern about younger generations leads to thinking that vaccines aren’t necessary for younger age groups. As a result, young adults are more receptive to the vaccine if friends have taken it, so peer networks play a large role. Lastly, a lack of public messaging about the vaccine on social media, where Gen Z and Millennials get most of their information, is a missed opportunity to spread important information about vaccines to younger age groups. 

According to the poll, people who make less than $50,000 are the most hesitant. This is mainly due to convenience issues. People with lower income brackets often don’t have the time to go to a vaccination site. They often also have poorer access to transportation, which is needed to get to a vaccine center or doctors office. Some people also have health issues, disabilities, and experience language barriers which, combined with jobs and family duties, makes getting vaccinated a daunting ordeal. These lower-income jobs are also not as flexible and typically remained in person throughout the pandemic, limiting the time that could be used to receive the vaccine.

Rural residents are the most hesitant. About 60% of rural residents in the poll said they already got the vaccine or were going to as soon as possible, compared to 71% of urban residents. This hesitancy falls into the complacency and convenience categories. For rural residents, getting the vaccine is more of a personal choice.  39% say they aren’t worried about someone in their family getting COVID-19, compared to 23% of urban residents. Additionally, rural communities tend to have a high percentage of people who are older, who lack health insurance, and who have limited access to healthcare facilities, which can all be barriers to vaccination.

Non-college graduates are more hesitant, with 43% reporting hesitancy in the poll. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher see the vaccine as safer and more effective. The Understanding America Study, found that people with less than a college degree believe in a higher risk of a serious side effect from the vaccine. Adults with college degrees are also more likely to know someone who is vaccinated, which helps to encourage their own vaccination.