Key Themes From Our SurveyMore than a quarter of vaccinated survey respondents said they were previously against taking the COVID-19 vaccine.The risks of COVID-19 eventually swayed most vaccine-hesitant people to get the shot.Americans are increasingly worried about virus variants and the state of the pandemic.

Key Themes From Our Survey

More than a quarter of vaccinated survey respondents said they were previously against taking the COVID-19 vaccine.The risks of COVID-19 eventually swayed most vaccine-hesitant people to get the shot.Americans are increasingly worried about virus variants and the state of the pandemic.

Over the past few weeks, unvaccinated people have driven the pandemic surge, leading to more hospitalizations and cases nationwide. But even in the face of soaring cases, nearly 40% of the population is still not fully vaccinated.

According to Verywell Health’s latest vaccine sentiment survey, more than a quarter—27%—of our vaccinated respondents said they were previously against getting the COVID-19 vaccine. What did it take to change their minds?

Vaccine Skeptics Share Why They Got a COVID-19 Shot

Other converts say they just needed time to warm up to the idea. It’s now been nearly eight months since vaccines first rolled out. Over time, side effects have proven rare and effectiveness has remained strong.

The data presented in this article is from 15 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 30. 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 15 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 30. 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:

What Changes Minds About Vaccination?

Among our respondents that said they previously decided against vaccination, there was a generational divide. Millennials made up the highest proportion: 31% had once decided not to get vaccinated. Meanwhile, that number was smaller for Gen X and Gen Z.

Most survey respondents who did change their minds about the vaccines did so through a risk calculation: Getting COVID seemed riskier than getting vaccinated.

This reasoning is especially relevant now that the Delta variant is causing a surge in cases and hospitalizations nationwide. For the first time since February 2021, the U.S. is averaging 100,000 cases a day.

Why Is the Delta Variant More Transmissible?

More than half of Americans who responded to our survey (53%) say they’re concerned about the new variant—12 points higher than last month. General concern about the pandemic is rising at the same pace. Simultaneously, there has been a drop of 6 points in the percentage of our respondents who feel safe from COVID-19.

The optimism many felt as states lifted COVID-19 restrictions at the start of the summer is also waning. Now, 60% of our respondents say they feel at least somewhat concerned that states are easing COVID-19 restrictions too early. This is 5 points higher than when we asked in May.

Concern is increasing around about communal workspaces, with 61% of workers (7 points higher than last month) being at least somewhat worried about returning to in-person work.

The Pressure’s on for Vaccine Mandates and Verification

This jump in vaccination also comes as employers increasingly implement vaccine mandates. Just this past week, cities like New York City andChicagonow require certain workers to get vaccinated. Thefederal governmentwill be requiring employees to get the shot too, as well asmilitary members.

Some states are implementing vaccine verification strategies to get ahead of Delta-induced surges. For example,New York City announced it would requireproof of vaccinations for indoor activities, including dining, fitness, entertainment, and performances.

How to Show Proof of Vaccination in New York City

It looks like Americans are open to this idea. Overall, 57% of Americans in our survey say they think people should have to prove they’ve gotten vaccinated, a 4 point increase from early June.

A Word From Verywell

People who are unvaccinated are not a monolith. There are many reasons someone may be hesitant about getting their COVID-19 vaccine shot. When talking to a friend or family member who is considering getting vaccinated, be prepared to open a dialogue, stay empathetic, and genuinely try to understand their worries. Focus on offering any help they may need—like offering a ride or watching their kids during their appointment.

If you need help approaching these conversations, check out Verywell’sHealthy Conversation Coach, which can walk you through the right way to approach someone who’s hesitant about getting vaccinated.

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

2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID Data Tracker.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID Data Tracker.

2 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID Data Tracker.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID Data Tracker.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID Data Tracker.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID Data Tracker.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID Data Tracker.

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