Key Themes From Our SurveyDespite increasing infections and hospitalizations, COVID-19 vaccination rates remain at a standstill.Americans are worried about the spread of the Delta variant and others like it.States may be forced to reinstate COVID precautions like mask mandates.

Key Themes From Our Survey

Despite increasing infections and hospitalizations, COVID-19 vaccination rates remain at a standstill.Americans are worried about the spread of the Delta variant and others like it.States may be forced to reinstate COVID precautions like mask mandates.

As COVID-19 variants circulate widely across the U.S., infection rates and hospitalizations, which were dropping steadily since January, are now on the rise. But vaccinations are still stalling.

Making up most of those new cases and hospitalizations: large chunks of the remaining unvaccinated population. According to Verywell Health’s latest vaccine sentiment tracker survey, nearly a quarter (23%) of our respondents remain undecided or against getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This proportion hasn’t changed meaningfully in two months.

With a significant portion of the U.S. population still unvaccinated, virus variants are given more room to spread—making the risk of COVID worse for everyone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)now estimatesthat 83% percent of current COVID cases are attributable to the highly transmissible Delta variant. Many Americans are getting worried.

The data presented in this article is from fourteen surveys of 2,000 Americans asked about their thoughts and feelings towards getting the COVID-19 vaccines. We collected the latest data for the week ending on July 2. Our survey sample highlighted four types of respondents based on their answer to whether or not they’d get an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine if it were free and available:Acceptors: Those who wouldagreeto be vaccinated but have not yetRejectors: Those whowould not agreeto take a vaccineUndecideds: Those whodon’t knowif they would take a vaccineVaccinated: Those whohave receiveda COVID-19 vaccination

The data presented in this article is from fourteen surveys of 2,000 Americans asked about their thoughts and feelings towards getting the COVID-19 vaccines. We collected the latest data for the week ending on July 2. Our survey sample highlighted four types of respondents based on their answer to whether or not they’d get an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine if it were free and available:

Overall, half of Americans surveyed—52%—have recently heard of new virus strains and 41% say they’re concerned about the new variant.

People are right to be worried about it. Variants are sparking regional epidemics in largely unvaccinated communities. And even vaccinated individuals can catch the virus—called a breakthrough case—though their course of illness is typically much less severe.

Delta Variant Becomes Dominant in the U.S., CDC Estimates

Mixed Feelings About Reinstating COVID Precautions

The rise of cases and hospitalizations may lead to reinstated pandemic precautions, which can affect everything from schooling to social activities. Some states may be forced to renew COVID measures. So masking up and social distancing are not part of a distant future just yet.

But most Americans feel prepared for that reality. Half of our survey respondents said that if there were another round of shutdowns, they are confident they could handle it.

Most also say they would be equally or more likely to comply with social distancing compared to their behavior in 2020.

While the CDC’s guidelines state that fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks indoors, some states and local governments are reconsidering.

Los Angeles County Reinstates Indoor Mask Mandate

Health officials in LAreinstated indoor mask mandates. New Orleans is considering requiring masks for unvaccinated people attending major events in the fall. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendseveryone attending or working on-site at schoolswear masks—vaccinated or not.

Pediatrician Group Recommends Mask Use in School Regardless of Vaccination Status

Internationally,the World Health Organization (WHO) still recommendsthat everyone, continue wearing masks.

But time will only tell if the fall will spur a renewal of COVID-19 safety precautions nationwide.

A Word From Verywell

The threat of variants is real. Even for vaccinated people.

If you’re fully vaccinated, the best thing you can do is to continue to mask up if you’re going to be in public places with other people indoors, as theWHO recommends. Masking in public will help stop you from spreading the virus to others, which can happen even if you feel fine or feel like you have the symptoms of a mild cold.

MethodologyThe Verywell Vaccine Sentiment Tracker is a biweekly measurement of Americans’ attitudes and behaviors around COVID-19 and the vaccine. The survey is fielded online every other week. The total sample matches U.S. Census estimates for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and region. It consists of 1,000 Americans from December 16, 2020, until February 26, 2020, after which the sample size increased to 2,000 per wave.

Methodology

The Verywell Vaccine Sentiment Tracker is a biweekly measurement of Americans’ attitudes and behaviors around COVID-19 and the vaccine. The survey is fielded online every other week. The total sample matches U.S. Census estimates for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and region. It consists of 1,000 Americans from December 16, 2020, until February 26, 2020, after which the sample size increased to 2,000 per wave.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page

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