The Rasmussen Reports poll (from September 7-9, 2025, sample of 1,158 Likely U.S. Voters, margin of error ±3%) finds that 56% believe it's likely side effects from COVID-19 vaccines caused a significant number of unexplained deaths — 32% saying "Very Likely," and the rest "Somewhat Likely." Only 35% say it's not likely (including 17% "Not At All Likely"). This is stable from a similar September 2024 poll, showing little shift over time.
Rasmussen frames this as evidence that a majority suspects vaccines "may have killed many people," tying it to support for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s criticisms of health officials. Earlier Rasmussen polls (e.g., November 2025 showed 46% overall belief in significant deaths, down slightly; January 2024 had 53%) track a consistent pattern of suspicion, often higher among the unvaccinated or those reporting side effects themselves.
Anti-vax narratives sometimes boil down to personal anecdotes—"most people know at least someone who died or got seriously injured, and they believe it's from the vaccine." This belief is significant because human reasoning favours vivid stories over stats.
Even if many attributions are mistaken, the belief itself matters: it shows distrust in the way "the science" has been pushed. Rasmussen's repeated polling captures this real sentiment shift; it's a snapshot of public perception shaped by experience, misinformation, and eroded trust. Whether this majority pushes policy changes (e.g., under RFK Jr.) or fades remains to be seen, but it underscores how personal stories can outweigh population-level data in shaping views. As it should.
https://www.thefocalpoints.com/p/majority-of-americans-now-suspect
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration_second_term/56_suspect_covid_19_vaccines_caused_deaths