A new survey shows that most Americans believe that vaccines should be required for children to attend public schools, even as politics continues to divide opinion. The American Family Survey, produced by Brigham Young University’s Wheatley Institute, Deseret News, and BYU’s Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, asked about whether vaccination is a public health issue or a personal choice.
According to the survey, about 68.1% of U.S. adults say vaccines for school children should be mandatory. Only about 20.5% view vaccination as a personal choice. The rest, 11.4%, said they did not have an opinion or were unsure.
Breaking the numbers down by political party shows differences, but still broad support across the spectrum. Among Democrats, 86.4% support required vaccinations. Among Republicans, support falls to 53.6%, and among independents it’s 59.2%.
Even among those who voted for Donald Trump in 2024, more people support vaccine requirements than oppose them: 51.9% support the requirement, while 34.2% do not.
Parents also show strong support. Of those with children under 18 at home, 60.8% believe vaccines should be required in public schools. Fathers and mothers differ slightly: 59.5% of fathers favour the requirements, while 61.7% of mothers do. Among parents of younger children (under age 12), 60.2% are in favour, and about 30.8% oppose it. The survey was conducted of about 3,000 U.S. adults between August 6 and 18, 2025, by YouGov. Its margin of error is ±2.1%.
Despite heated debates over vaccine rules, especially in states like Florida, and amid broader national discussions around public health, public trust, and individual liberty, this survey suggests that many Americans still view vaccine mandates in schools as a necessary public health measure rather than just a personal choice.
