American Public Opinion and Vaccination Requirements

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Majorities of Americans now favor requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to travel by airplane, stay in a hotel, attend events with large crowds, dine in a restaurant and go to their office or work site.

The most recent update of these questions is from an Aug. 16-22 survey included in Gallup's ongoing COVID-19 probability-based web panel. There has been little change since April in views of vaccination requirements for airplanes and attending events. Opinions about staying in hotels and dining in restaurants have shifted. In April, majorities of Americans were opposed to vaccination requirements for hotels and dining; now, majorities are in favor.

These views are not universally held, however, reflecting divisions in public opinion on many of the issues surrounding COVID. The percentages of Americans in favor of vaccination requirements range from 53% to 61% across the five situations tested, leaving a nontrivial 39% to 47% who are opposed. In short, if it came to a national referendum, these vaccination proof requirements would win -- but with significant opposition.