As COVID Delta Variant Infections Surge, More Americans Favor Vaccine Mandates

Support for mandates has increased in partisan and demographic subgroups.

With infections from the delta variant soaring, the percentage of Americans supporting vaccine mandates has risen from 58% in April to 64%.

According to the latest poll from the COVID States Project, the majority of respondents from nearly all states approve of a general vaccine mandate, as well as specific mandates for airplane travel and personal education.

The poll was conducted by a university consortium that includes Northwestern, Northeastern, Harvard and Rutgers University.

“The support for mandates is greater than many realize and is increasing, probably due to the spread of the delta variant and the fear that the school will start this fall,” says political scientist James Druckman, one of the project researchers.

Druckman is the Payson S. Wild Professor of Political Science at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and associate director of the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern.

Between June 9 and July 7, Druckman and colleagues surveyed 20,669 individuals in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Respondents were asked whether they approved or disapproved of four types of federal, state, and local government vaccination mandates:

a general mandate requiring everyone to receive a COVID-19 vaccine; required vaccinations to get on the plane; compulsory vaccinations for children to attend school; and required vaccinations for students to return to school

While the May report also showed strong public support for vaccine mandates, the number of Americans who support a general vaccine mandate has increased during each wave of the survey, from 54% in February to 58% in April, to 64% in June. There is also more support for specific mandates regarding vaccinations before flying (70%) and returning to university (66%) or school (61%).

The August report also shows a narrowing gap between nearly all partisan and demographic subgroups. But while 70% of the eligible US population is now vaccinated, there remains a persistent 20% to 30% of Americans who are unsure or unwilling to get vaccinated. Large differences were seen in terms of party affiliation and where respondents lived: Democrats were twice as likely as Republicans to approve such mandates (84% to 45%) and rural residents were 20 percentage points less in favor of mandates than urban residents (73% to 53%).

“The peak of delta may finally close part of the partisan vaccine gap, but there is still a way to go. More messages from Republican leaders will continue to be vital,” Druckman said.