America’s ‘Malleable Middle’ on Vaccine Misinformation

July 07, 2026

People without a trusted health care provider to answer health questions are more likely to believe common myths about vaccines, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) tracking poll.

The latest KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust looks at the public's understanding of vaccines and the commonly circulated myths about them. The poll shows a larger share of people correctly identify false claims, but there is still room to reach those who are uncertain.

“Across the four false vaccines claims, far more people say the claims are “definitely false” than say they are “definitely true,” but at least half of the public is less certain what to believe, falling into the malleable middle and saying each of these claims are either ‘probably true’ or ‘probably false,’” the KFF report notes.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Background:  The tracking poll analyzed public opinion on four common false claims about measles and the COVID-19 vaccines.
• Key finding:  The so-called “malleable middle” has been consistent over the last four years, with about half of surveyed individuals believing the vaccine myths are either “probably true” or “probably false.” 
• Role of providers:  About 46 percent of adults who do not have a health care provider to answer health questions reported it’s “probably” or “definitely true” that more people have died from COVID-19 vaccines than from the virus.
  • This is nearly twice the share compared to those with a trusted provider (24%).
• Opposing sentiments:  Just 8 percent report all four claims are “probably” or “definitely true.” More than half (55%) believed the four claims are “probably” or “definitely false.”
• Quotable:  “And what deserves much more focus is the very large group of Americans in the middle who, just as in politics, are confused by the discussions on the edges and uncertain about what is true and what to do,” said Drew Altman, KFF CEO in a column commenting on the latest tracking poll.

Additional information is available in the poll and a news release.