Recent findings indicate a noticeable decline in public trust towards the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marking the lowest levels since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, as reported in a new opinion poll released by KFF.
This decline in confidence seems to stem from Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s major reforms in federal vaccine policies, which have included significant alterations to childhood vaccination schedules, a more limited set of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, and notable changes in the Vaccine Advisory Committee’s composition.
Currently, only half of Americans express “a lot” of confidence in the CDC for reliable vaccine information, a decrease from 57% in July 2023 and down from 63% in September.
Nevertheless, most individuals still consider their healthcare providers as the most dependable source of information. Over 60% of those surveyed indicated trust in vaccine information from the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Both organizations have openly criticized President Kennedy’s vaccine policies and have also seen some experts removed from the influential Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
KFF President and CEO Drew Altman highlighted the situation, saying that while faith in national scientific institutions is wavering, it is somewhat reassuring that the public maintains trust in professional organizations willing to speak up.
The trust in vaccine sources shows marked partisan divides. The poll revealed that 64% of Democrats reported trusting the CDC most regarding vaccines, a significant drop of 24 percentage points since last year. On the other hand, only 39% of Republicans expressed trust in CDC vaccine information, while a striking 67% indicated trust in Kennedy himself.
When it comes to President Kennedy’s overall job performance and his approach to vaccine policy, the public response is largely negative. Approximately 40% of adults said they “strongly” or “somewhat” approve of his performance, while 59% indicated disapproval. Support for his vaccine policies appears similar, with about 40% in favor and 60% against.
This survey was conducted on September 23, right after Presidents Kennedy, Trump, and other health officials suggested a link between taking Tylenol during pregnancy and autism, despite the lack of new evidence establishing a direct causal relationship.
The existing research on this issue is varied, with experts calling for further investigation. Acetaminophen is generally considered a safe pain relief option during pregnancy, especially when treating fever, although misuse could pose risks to the fetus.
Public opinion reflects confusion around the claim, with around 75% having heard it but many unsure of its validity. Only 4% of respondents believed the claim was “definitely true,” while 60%, including 64% of parents, said it was either “probably true” or “probably false.” Many women, particularly those under 50, along with Republicans and independence, expressed indecision about this assertion.
A third of respondents stated the claim was “definitely false.” The study’s findings, much like previous research, indicated that views on the acetaminophen autism claim often align with political affiliations. A majority of Republicans, including over half of Republican women, suggested the claim was “probably” or “definitely true,” contrasting with 59% of Democrats who dismissed the assertion as false.
A total of 1,344 individuals took part in the poll, which has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
