Public Trust in CDC Vaccine Information Drops to New Low, KFF Finds

Recent research and polling highlight changes in public trust toward health authorities and the outcomes of scientific studies on medication safety.

KFF released a Tracking Poll on February 6, 2026, showing that trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for vaccine information has reached its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic. The poll measured public confidence in the CDC’s ability to provide reliable guidance on vaccines and related health topics.

According to the poll, only 47% of U.S. adults report trusting the CDC at least “a fair amount” for vaccine information. This figure represents a continued decline in confidence compared to previous years. The poll results reflect ongoing shifts in public attitudes toward federal health agencies.

Among political groups, trust in the CDC among Democrats has also decreased. The poll found that Democratic respondents’ trust dropped by nine percentage points since September 2025, moving from 64% to 55%. In September 2023, trust among Democrats was reported at 88%, indicating a notable downward trend over the past two years.

What the numbers show

• 47% of U.S. adults trust the CDC at least “a fair amount” for vaccine information
• Trust among Democrats declined from 64% in September 2025 to 55% in February 2026
• Democratic trust in the CDC was 88% in September 2023

In addition to polling data, KFF introduced an interactive dashboard on February 6, 2026. This dashboard allows users to view trends in public trust across various health information sources, including those related to vaccines. The tool is designed to visualize changes over time and provide access to recent polling data.

Separate from the polling results, a European study published in January 2026 addressed concerns about the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. The study analyzed health records from over one million children and examined potential links between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and developmental conditions.

The findings from the European study, published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health, indicated no association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and increased risks of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or intellectual disability in children. The study’s results were based on a large dataset and focused on several developmental outcomes.

Both the polling data and research findings contribute to ongoing discussions about public confidence in health authorities and the role of scientific evidence in shaping health guidance. These developments provide updated information for individuals seeking reliable sources on vaccine safety and medication use during pregnancy.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.