More than half of unvaccinated Americans believe that COVID-19 vaccines pose a greater risk to their health than the actual virus, a new poll suggests.
The survey, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), found that 53 percent of people who have not gotten the vaccine believe the shots are riskier than contracting the disease.
This view is especially prominent among those who say they're 'definitely not' getting the vaccine with 75 percent of 'definitely not' responders believing the vaccine is more dangerous.
In fact, the virus is far more dangerous. Out of 243,000 Covid deaths reported in the U.S. since January 2021, only 1,300 have occurred in vaccinated Americans.
The polling data demonstrates the challenge facing U.S. leaders seeking to get the nation vaccinated.
Still, the Indian 'Delta' variant is inspiring some Americans to go get their shots. KFF found that 22 percent of unvaccinated respondents said that variant news made them more likely to seek vaccination.
Over half of unvaccinated Americans believe that COVID-19 vaccines pose a higher risk to their health than the actual virus, according to a new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation
In fact, the vaccines are extremely effective in protecting against Covid disease, hospitalization, and death. Pictured: A nurse administers a Covid shot at a drive-through site in Orlando, Florida, August 2021
The U.S. recently met President Biden's goal - vaccinating 70 percent of American adults with at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose - but hit the target about one month late.
As of Thursday, 58 percent of the U.S. population has received at least one dose and just under 50 percent are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Public health experts say that those Americans who remain unvaccinated are in grave danger as the Delta variant spreads through the U.S.
This highly-contagious variant is now causing more than 90 percent of U.S. cases - and it's overwhelmingly unvaccinated people who are getting sick.
The vast majority of Covid hospitalizations and deaths are among the unvaccinated. The virus may also cause long-term damage to patients' brains, lungs, and other parts of their bodies.
Out of 243,000 Covid deaths reported in the U.S. since January 2021, only 1,300 occurred in vaccinated Americans, equivalent to about 0.5 percent.
Yet a lot of people who haven't gotten their shots do not recognize this danger, according to the new KFF poll.
The nonprofit health research organization has conducted regular polling on American perceptions of the Covid vaccines since the vaccine rollout started last winter.
KFF surveyed recipients who say they are 'definitely getting' vaccinated (or have already been vaccinated), those who say they will 'wait and see' how vaccinations progress, those who will only get a shot if required, and those who will 'definitely
