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Poll: Public trust in CDC plummets after changes to childhood vaccine recommendations
Fewer than half of Americans now trust the CDC on vaccine information, a significant drop from just a few years ago.
Published on Feb. 6, 2026
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A new poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that public trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reached an all-time low after the Trump administration changed the childhood vaccine schedule recommendations in January 2026. The poll shows that fewer than half of Americans - about 47% - say they trust the CDC to provide reliable vaccine information, down 10 percentage points since the beginning of President Trump's second term.
Why it matters
The erosion of public trust in the CDC is concerning, as the agency plays a crucial role in providing authoritative guidance on public health issues like vaccines. This drop in trust could make it more difficult for the CDC to effectively communicate the importance of childhood immunizations and impact vaccination rates.
The details
The KFF poll found that among the 51% of Americans who were aware of the changes to the childhood vaccine recommendations, 54% believed the changes would have a negative impact. The poll also revealed significant partisan divides, with 83% of Democrats and 54% of independents believing the changes would negatively impact children's health, compared to only 23% of Republicans. Additionally, while public trust in vaccines like MMR and polio remains high, confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine is much lower, with only about 3 in 10 Republicans expressing confidence in its safety.
- The changes to the childhood vaccine recommendations were announced in January 2026.
- The KFF poll was conducted in February 2026.
The players
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The national public health institute in the United States that conducts research and provides guidance on public health issues.
Donald Trump
The former President of the United States who was in office during the changes to the childhood vaccine recommendations.
Drew Altman
The President and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation, an independent health policy research organization that conducted the poll.
What they’re saying
“Six years ago, 85% of Americans, and 90% of Republicans, trusted the CDC. Now less than half trust the CDC on vaccines.”
— Drew Altman, President and CEO, Kaiser Family Foundation (Atlanta News First)
What’s next
The CDC will likely need to undertake a concerted effort to rebuild public trust in its vaccine recommendations and guidance, which could include increased transparency, better communication, and engagement with diverse stakeholders.
The takeaway
The dramatic decline in public trust in the CDC's vaccine recommendations highlights the ongoing challenges of navigating polarized political and ideological divides around public health issues. Restoring confidence in the CDC's role as a trusted, authoritative voice on vaccines will be crucial for maintaining high vaccination rates and protecting public health.
