Survey Reveals Parent Perspectives on Vaccine Timing

A new survey indicates that nearly half of U.S. parents advocate for spacing out childhood vaccinations, raising questions about vaccination practices and health perceptions. The KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust sheds light on the attitudes toward vaccine timing, revealing a complex interplay between parental beliefs and political affiliations.

Support for Spacing Vaccines

The poll, conducted with 1,328 adults between September 16 and 21, 2026, found that 48% of parents believe that spacing out vaccines leads to better health outcomes for their children. This includes a preference for not administering multiple shots during a single doctor's visit. Conversely, 52% of the parents surveyed disagreed, arguing that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that this practice is beneficial.

Political Divides in Vaccine Beliefs

The data reflects notable political divisions in opinions regarding childhood vaccinations. Amongst those identified as Republican or leaning towards the party, a significant 69% supported the concept of spacing vaccinations. In contrast, only 32% of Democratic-leaning parents were in favor of spacing out vaccines, with a notable 68% asserting that there is no strong scientific backing for this approach.

This survey comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s executive order suggesting a modification of the vaccination schedule aimed at reducing the target diseases for routine childhood vaccinations. Changes involve separating the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into individual doses, though these measures are currently facing judicial challenges and remain unimplemented.

Awareness of the suggested changes to the vaccination schedule appears low, with 59% of adults admitting they have heard little to nothing about them. The survey further reveals that 40% of respondents believe these potential changes could adversely affect children’s health, while only 12% foresee benefits.

General Confidence in Vaccines

Despite the concerns regarding spacing vaccinations, confidence in specific vaccines remains high. Approximately 80% of adults and around 75% of parents recognize that the advantages of the MMR vaccine surpass its risks. This belief is consistent across political lines, with 83% of Democratic-leaning parents and 76% of Republican-leaning parents supporting the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine. Even among followers of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, 69% maintain that the benefits outweigh the risks. Confidence in the safety of the polio vaccine is also strong across all demographics.

Concerns Surrounding COVID-19 Vaccination

The survey reveals a decline in confidence regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations during pregnancy, dropping to 39% from 53% in May 2022. Among women of childbearing age, confidence fell to 37%. Notably, there has been a decrease across political affiliations, with Democrats experiencing a 17-point drop and Republicans a 15-point drop in their confidence regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for expectant mothers.

The prevalence of misinformation also plays a role in public sentiment, as around one-third of adults have been exposed to the erroneous belief that COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of miscarriage. Although studies consistently affirm the vaccines' safety during pregnancy, only 8% of respondents could identify this claim as completely false. In contrast, 9% deemed it true.

The majority of respondents fall into an uncertain category regarding this vaccination misinformation, with 37% believing it is likely true and 44% leaning towards it being likely false. Among childbearing-aged women, uncertainty is similarly pronounced, with 40% affirming it is probably true and 42% asserting it is probably false.