Around 24% of white evangelical protestants say they won't get vaccinated

Around 24% of white evangelical protestants say they won't get vaccinated
Around 24% of white evangelical protestants say they won't get vaccinated

White evangelical protestants are the most likely to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine out of all major religious groups in the US, with around 24 percent saying they won't take the shot. 

New research from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) shows vaccine uptake and hesitancy differs among religious groups across America, with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) second least likely to get vaccinated at 19 percent of this group saying no to the shot, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, Jewish people are most likely of all religious groups to get the jab with 85 percent willing to get vaccinated, 8 percent describing themselves as hesitant and just 7 percent refusing to take it.

The findings reveal that religion plays a role in determining whether or not Americans choose to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with almost one in five (19 percent) of refusers saying a faith-based approach would make them more likely to change their minds. 

This comes as the nation's vaccination program has somewhat stalled while COVID-19 cases are surging once again, driven by the spread of the more highly contagious Delta variant. 

The new wave has led officials to backpedal on the easing of restrictions with the CDC on Tuesday recommending that both vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans return to wearing masks in some indoor situations again.

White evangelical protestants are the most likely to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine out of all major religious groups in the US, with around 24 percent saying they won't take the shot, new research from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) shows

White evangelical protestants are the most likely to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine out of all major religious groups in the US, with around 24 percent saying they won't take the shot, new research from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) shows

Jewish people are most likely of all religious groups to get the jab with 85 percent willing to get vaccinated, 8 percent describing themselves as hesitant and just 7 percent refusing to take it

Jewish people are most likely of all religious groups to get the jab with 85 percent willing to get vaccinated, 8 percent describing themselves as hesitant and just 7 percent refusing to take it

Patterns of vaccine uptake among religious groups has remained largely consistent between March and June

Patterns of vaccine uptake among religious groups has remained largely consistent between March and June

The PRRI research shows that, patterns of vaccine uptake among religious groups has remained largely consistent between March and June, white evangelical protestants have grown slightly less skeptical within the timeframe. 

Though the proportion of white evangelicals refusing to get the vaccine increased from 20 percent in March to 24 percent in June, more than half (56 percent) of this group say they have now been vaccinated or plan to get vaccinated - up from 45 percent in March. 

Hispanic Catholics have increased most in vaccine acceptance, rising 24 percentage points from 56 percent in March to 80 percent in June.    

The PRRI data also reveals differences in attitudes toward the vaccine within the religious groups, depending on race or ethnicity. 

A high proportion of Hispanic protestants are also skeptical about taking the vaccine, with 17 percent refusing the shot while 26 percent said they were hesitant of it.

Refusal fell to 15 percent among other protestants of color, 13 percent among black protestants and 10 percent among white (non-evangelical) protestants.

These disparities come as communities of color have both been worse-affected than white communities amid the pandemic and also shown the most hesitancy toward the vaccine. 

Vaccine uptake and hesitancy differs among different religious groups across America

Vaccine uptake and hesitancy differs among different religious groups across America

Historic medical abuse of black people in America has created deep distrust in the medical industry among communities of color.  

Yet, among people who follow Christianity, little difference was found with 80 percent of both white Catholics and Hispanic Catholics accepting the shot and 6 percent and 8 percent refusing it respectively. 

Racial and ethnic group breakdown was not available for smaller religious groups.  

White evangelicals have long shown resistance to taking vaccines and some prominent pastors and religious leaders have been wading into the debate among their followers.  

Pastor Tim Thompson, who runs the 1,000-member evangelical church 412 Murrieta near Los Angeles, has

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