Unvaccinated Americans believe the vaccines are more dangerous than COVID-19, while vaccinated Americans believe the delta variant is worrisome enough that they continue to mask in public and avoid large gatherings, according to a report published Wednesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The Kaiser Family Foundation surveyed 1,517 adults in mid-July about their thoughts and experiences surrounding the vaccines. At the time, COVID-19 case numbers were rising because of the delta variant of the coronavirus, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had not yet recommended indoor mask use in areas with high transmission rates.
Still, 62 percent of vaccinated adults said news of the variant had prompted them to continue masking in public places, while just 37 percent of unvaccinated adults said the same.
"When we look at who's more likely to be changing their behaviors because of delta, it's vaccinated people versus the unvaccinated people. That's what really stands out," said Liz Hamel, vice president and director of public opinion and survey research at the Kaiser Family Foundation.
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One finding has not changed since the group started conducting surveys in December. Staunch opposition to the vaccines has hovered around the 13 percent-to-15 percent range from the beginning. In the latest report, 14 percent said they would "definitely not" get vaccinated.