On Feb. 6, 2026, KFF (formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation) shared the results of a new poll tracking the public’s trust and confidence in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and vaccines in light of the January changes to the federal childhood immunization schedule.
KFF is an independent health policy organization that conducts policy research, polling and journalism. In a time of a vocal minority, survey results such as this help clarify the public’s opinion on major national debates related to healthcare, such as vaccination.
This latest poll, “KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Trust in the CDC and Views of Federal Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes” evaluated trends in trust in the CDC from 2023 through 2026. It also evaluated current public sentiment on specific topics, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s job performance, confidence in different vaccines, and more. Results of the survey completed by 1,426 adults in the U.S. were presented graphically with some questions demonstrating significant partisan divides.
Key takeaways included:
- Of U.S. adults who heard about the federal changes to the vaccine schedule (about half of the sample), almost two-thirds (57%) said they expect that the changes will have a negative impact on children, compared with about one-fourth (26%) who anticipated a positive impact.
- Overall trust in the CDC on vaccine information was at its lowest point in 2026, compared with historical figures. Fewer than half of adults (47%) said they have a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in the CDC to provide reliable information about vaccines. Trends varied by political party with most of the decrease coming from loss of trust in the CDC by Democrats.
- Public and parental confidence in the safety of the polio and MMR vaccines remained high for at least 8 out of 10 adults.
- The majority of respondents reported confidence in vaccines that are not universally recommended on the federal schedule (70% for hepatitis B, 65% for influenza vaccine), though there were differences based on partisan positions.
On Feb. 6, 2026, KFF (formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation) shared the results of a new poll tracking the public’s trust and confidence in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and vaccines in light of the January changes to the federal childhood immunization schedule.
KFF is an independent health policy organization that conducts policy research, polling and journalism. In a time of a vocal minority, survey results such as this help clarify the public’s opinion on major national debates related to healthcare, such as vaccination.
This latest poll, “KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Trust in the CDC and Views of Federal Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes” evaluated trends in trust in the CDC from 2023 through 2026. It also evaluated current public sentiment on specific topics, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s job performance, confidence in different vaccines, and more. Results of the survey completed by 1,426 adults in the U.S. were presented graphically with some questions demonstrating significant partisan divides.
Key takeaways included:
- Of U.S. adults who heard about the federal changes to the vaccine schedule (about half of the sample), almost two-thirds (57%) said they expect that the changes will have a negative impact on children, compared with about one-fourth (26%) who anticipated a positive impact.
- Overall trust in the CDC on vaccine information was at its lowest point in 2026, compared with historical figures. Fewer than half of adults (47%) said they have a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in the CDC to provide reliable information about vaccines. Trends varied by political party with most of the decrease coming from loss of trust in the CDC by Democrats.
- Public and parental confidence in the safety of the polio and MMR vaccines remained high for at least 8 out of 10 adults.
- The majority of respondents reported confidence in vaccines that are not universally recommended on the federal schedule (70% for hepatitis B, 65% for influenza vaccine), though there were differences based on partisan positions.