Annenberg Poll Finds 68% of Americans Reject Vaccine-Autism Claim as Trump Officials Stoke Doubts
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 30
Annenberg Poll Finds 68% of Americans Reject Vaccine-Autism Claim as Trump Officials Stoke Doubts
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 30
Summary
68% of Americans said it is false that childhood vaccines such as MMR cause autism, while 13% said the claim is true and 19% were unsure, according to an Annenberg poll of 1,904 adults.
Those views have stayed broadly unchanged since 2022, suggesting most Americans still align with mainstream pediatric guidance that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective.
The poll lands as President Donald Trump ordered the combined MMR shot split up last month and called it potentially “lethal” without evidence, while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has continued making disputed vaccine claims.
Kennedy’s messaging appears muddled for many respondents: 31% said they believe he recommends measles vaccination, 40% were unsure of his position, and 23% viewed him favorably.