• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’

2

Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it

3

The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families

1

Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’

2

Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it

3

The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families
Health

The political divide between the vaxxed and unvaxxed is widening, according to new report

By
Jennifer Alsever
Jennifer Alsever
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jennifer Alsever
Jennifer Alsever
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 28, 2021, 5:00 AM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Is the COVID-19 booster shot proof of scientists’ pursuit of more effective vaccines? Or does it show the first round of vaccines didn’t do the job? Your answer likely depends on whether you’re a Democrat or Republican.

A report released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows how Americans still fall largely along partisan lines when it comes to opinions about the COVID-19 booster vaccine. 

At least 82% of Democrats surveyed said the COVID booster vaccine shows that scientists are continuing to find ways to make the vaccine more effective, while 52% of Republicans say it shows that the vaccines didn’t work as well as promised. When it came to breakthrough cases—or the positive cases among the vaccinated—the majority of both Democrats and Republicans agreed that vaccines work, because vaccinated people don’t get as sick or don’t typically require hospitalization, but more than 39% of Republicans said breakthrough infections were evidence that existing vaccines aren’t working, compared to just 10% of Democrats. 

The partisanship isn’t surprising, considering how politicized the pandemic has been in the U.S. New data by the New York Times shows how vaccination rates—and COVID deaths—correspond with how people voted in the 2020 U.S. election.

The vaccines were developed quickly, and information has changed as the science has evolved, said Liz Hamel, the Kaiser foundation’s vice president who oversees public opinion research. Many people get their information from partisan sources and hear messages from partisan leaders, which has created confusion, especially among the unvaccinated, she said. “People are overwhelmed with information and trying to discern the misinformation,” said Hamel.

According to the survey, as many as 90% of Democrats say they’re vaccinated, and they’re likely to attribute the rise in Delta variant cases to people who refuse the vaccine or fail to take proper precautions. That compares to 58% of Republicans who are vaccinated and are more likely to attribute caseloads to immigrants and tourists. While vaccinated adults chalk up the surge in cases to people who won’t vaccinate, the unvaccinated argue the rise means vaccines aren’t working as well as promised.

The disparate views are driving big emotions. Two-thirds of Democrats and half of vaccinated adults say they’re angry at the unvaccinated, while 59% of Republicans and 56% of unvaccinated adults say they’re angry with the federal government. 

Vaccination rates climbed this summer—as of September, 72% of U.S. adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, up from 67% in July. The big reasons for finally getting those shots? According to the report, more than a third of those who were recently vaccinated said they either knew someone who got sick or died from COVID, their local hospitals were filling up, or they simply observed the surge of Delta variant cases. 

More health care and Big Pharma coverage from Fortune:

  • Health insurers justify passing COVID treatment costs on to patients despite massive profits
  • Why pregnant people are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine boosters
  • Portugal leads the world in COVID-19 vaccinations
  • A WHO-approved Novavax vaccine could upstage mRNA jabs—if it can solve its manufacturing delays
  • Duckworth, Raimondo: Congress must back the president’s historic investment in home care workers

Subscribe to Fortune Daily to get essential business stories straight to your inbox each morning.

About the Author
By Jennifer Alsever
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Health

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Health

The Best Folding Treadmills of 2026: Expert Tested
HealthDietary Supplements
The Best Folding Treadmills of 2026: Expert Tested
By Christina SnyderJune 19, 2026
10 hours ago
The highest-paid hospital CEO made $43 million last year all while Americans hold $220 billion in medical debt
HealthCEO salaries and executive compensation
The highest-paid hospital CEO made $43 million last year all while Americans hold $220 billion in medical debt
By Cassie McGrath and Healthcare BrewJune 19, 2026
11 hours ago
audrey
CommentaryInsurance
Aflac general counsel: Georgia lawmakers took a crucial step forward on sickle cell disease – but there’s more work to be done
By Audrey Boone TillmanJune 19, 2026
13 hours ago
Arianna Huffington swears by one boundary to switch off from work every night—and Ralph Lauren’s CHRO says it’s the best thing she’s ever done too
SuccessDay in the Life of a CEO
Arianna Huffington swears by one boundary to switch off from work every night—and Ralph Lauren’s CHRO says it’s the best thing she’s ever done too
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 19, 2026
16 hours ago
Half of U.S. adults under 50 get health information from influencers who mostly aren’t medical professionals, Pew finds
HealthSocial Media
Half of U.S. adults under 50 get health information from influencers who mostly aren’t medical professionals, Pew finds
By Mia OsmonbekovJune 18, 2026
1 day ago
The 4 Best Mini Massage Guns (2026): Approved by Fitness and Recovery Experts
HealthDietary Supplements
The 4 Best Mini Massage Guns (2026): Approved by Fitness and Recovery Experts
By Christina SnyderJune 18, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’
Success
Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 18, 2026
2 days ago
Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it
Environment
Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it
By Sydney LakeJune 19, 2026
11 hours ago
The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families
Economy
The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families
By Jacqueline MunisJune 17, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 18, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 18, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 18, 2026
1 day ago
Hundreds of Stanford students walked out of their grad ceremony to protest Google CEO’s commencement speech. It wasn’t all about AI
Big Tech
Hundreds of Stanford students walked out of their grad ceremony to protest Google CEO’s commencement speech. It wasn’t all about AI
By Tristan BoveJune 15, 2026
4 days ago
Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer publicly dismissed Chrome as a 'rounding error'—but Google’s CEO says he used the jab as fuel to win the browser-wars
Success
Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer publicly dismissed Chrome as a 'rounding error'—but Google’s CEO says he used the jab as fuel to win the browser-wars
By Preston ForeJune 17, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.