Before Kennedy hearing, GOP Viewed Poll Showing Trump Base Favors Vaccines
A Republican-backed survey revealed that most Trump supporters believe vaccines are life-saving and continue to back immunizations such as measles and hepatitis B.
According to two individuals familiar with a private briefing, staffers for multiple GOP lawmakers were presented with the polling results on Wednesday.
Memo dated Aug. 26 outlining the findings. The survey, conducted by longtime Republican pollsters Tony Fabrizio and Bob Ward, reported “broad bipartisan agreement in support of vaccines including measles (MMR), shingles, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (TDAP), and Hepatitis B.” Sources said Fabrizio and Ward personally presented the results in the meeting.
Ward confirmed the authenticity of the memo in an email to NBC News but declined to discuss the gathering itself. It remains unclear who commissioned the polling or organized the session. A person familiar with the White House denied that the administration had requested it.
The data may shed light on why some Republican senators adjusted their tone during Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s hearing Thursday before the Senate Finance Committee.
One source said staffers in attendance on Wednesday represented senators who sit on that same committee.
The hearing itself became tense, as Kennedy faced scrutiny from both parties over his moves to limit the distribution of updated COVID-19 vaccines and for dismissing newly appointed CDC Director Susan Monarez.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who supported Kennedy’s confirmation, has recently criticized several of Kennedy’s actions. Among them: canceling $500 million in grants for mRNA research and removing all members of a key vaccine advisory board.
After Monarez’s dismissal, Cassidy demanded “strong oversight” and called for the upcoming vaccine advisory panel session to be postponed indefinitely.
During Thursday’s hearing, Cassidy pressed Kennedy directly on his stance toward vaccines, including Trump’s Operation Warp Speed program from 2020. Cassidy also accused Kennedy of “denying people a vaccine,” pointing to reports of difficulties accessing the new COVID-19 booster.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., joined in, questioning Kennedy’s leadership.
“In your confirmation hearings, you pledged to uphold the highest vaccine standards,” Barrasso said. “Since then, I’ve become increasingly troubled. We’ve seen measles outbreaks, NIH leaders raising doubts about mRNA vaccines, and the CDC’s newly confirmed director fired. Americans are left wondering who they can trust.”
The Fabrizio-Ward poll indicated strong consensus that vaccines should remain free of charge, with two-thirds of Trump voters and over 80% of swing voters agreeing.
Doctors and nurses topped the list of trusted vaccine information sources, with 76% of Trump voters naming them.
Roughly 73% of Trump voters and 83% of swing voters agreed that vaccines save lives.
However, partisan gaps persisted around COVID shots. Just 22% of Trump voters considered Covid vaccination important, the poll showed.
Still, the memo emphasized: “Republicans should not confuse skepticism about the Covid vaccine with opposition to vaccinations as a whole.”