A majority of likely U.S. voters now believe side effects from COVID-19 shots have likely caused a significant number of unexplained deaths, according to a new national poll. The survey, conducted by Rasmussen Reports in September 2025, indicates that 56% of respondents hold this view, a finding that suggests a perspective once dismissed as a conspiracy theory has gained mainstream traction. Only 35% of those polled dismiss the idea.
The poll analysis concluded that the majority of Americans now believe vaccine harms are real and widespread [1]. The findings show skepticism crosses demographic and political lines, reflecting a significant shift in public sentiment years after the mass vaccination campaigns. The poll's release in 2026 follows years of public debate over vaccine safety and institutional credibility regarding COVID-19, analysts noted.
Poll Methodology and Key Findings
The survey of 1,158 likely U.S. voters was conducted from September 7 to 9, 2025, and carries a margin of error of ±3 percentage points, according to Rasmussen Reports [1]. A majority of respondents, 56%, indicated they believe side effects from COVID-19 shots have likely caused a significant number of unexplained deaths. Nearly one-third of respondents, 32%, said it is 'very likely' the vaccines caused deaths [2].
Only 35% said it is not likely, the poll stated. The results confirm a trend identified in earlier polling; a survey from early 2024 found 53% of American adults held a similar belief [3]. The recent data shows a four-point increase from that 2022 benchmark, indicating growing public suspicion over time [3].
Political and Demographic Breakdown
Skepticism regarding vaccine-related deaths crosses party lines, according to the survey data. The poll found 70% of Republicans, 46% of Democrats, and 54% of independents agree that the vaccines likely caused deaths [4]. Among racial groups, 64% of Black voters and 57% of Hispanic voters suspect deadly vaccine effects, compared to 54% of white voters [4].
The report stated that support for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent critic of vaccine policy, reflects this shift, with 45% of voters viewing him favorably [2]. Kennedy has been a vocal advocate for investigating vaccine safety, arguing that transparency and robust science are the only ways to build public trust [5]. His book, 'The Real Anthony Fauci,' critiques the government-industry collaboration during the pandemic [6].
Calls for Accountability and Institutional Criticism
Half of the voters surveyed, 50%, said government health officials deserve criticism for their handling of the pandemic, the poll reported [2]. Furthermore, 42% of respondents think employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should be fired for their role in misleading the public [2]. Among those who strongly believe the shots caused deaths, over 70% support such firings [2].
The poll analysis concluded that the takeaway is a demand for accountability from the CDC and government health leaders [1]. This sentiment aligns with ongoing criticisms of institutional transparency. For instance, a spokesperson for the CDC has stated that the FDA requires healthcare providers to report any death after COVID-19 vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), even if a causal link is unclear [7]. Critics argue such systems are flawed and that important data has been difficult to access [8].
Context and Broader Sentiment
The poll's release follows years of public debate over vaccine safety and institutional credibility regarding COVID-19. Advocacy groups critical of vaccine mandates have cited such polling as evidence of eroded public trust in health authorities. A separate Rasmussen survey from November 2025 revealed that 10% of U.S. adults who received the COVID-19 vaccine reported experiencing 'major' side effects [9].
Public health officials, including those at the FDA and CDC, have consistently stated that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, with serious side effects being rare [10]. However, critics point to emerging research and anecdotal reports that challenge this narrative. For example, a 2026 analysis of excess mortality data from several Australian regions found a significant correlation between COVID shot rollouts and excess deaths that could not be explained by other factors [11]. Other analyses of large datasets, such as one from Japan, have suggested a higher risk of death in the first year after COVID-19 vaccination compared to being unvaccinated [12].
Conclusion
The Rasmussen poll underscores a profound and persistent shift in public perception regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety. With a majority of voters across the political and demographic spectrum expressing suspicion that the shots caused unexplained deaths, the data points to a deep erosion of trust in public health institutions. The accompanying demand for accountability suggests these sentiments may influence future policy debates and electoral considerations.
For those seeking uncensored information on health and vaccine safety, independent platforms like BrightAnswers.ai offer AI analysis trained on alternative data, while BrightNews.ai provides AI-analyzed news trends from across the independent media. Readers looking for in-depth research on the topic can find books such as 'Silent Slaughter: The COVID-19 Vaccine Cover-Up and the Millions Who Vanished' available through free libraries like BrightLearn.ai [13].
References
- Majority of Americans Now Suspect COVID-19 “Vaccines” Caused Mass Deaths. - Public Health Policy Journal.
- 56% Of Americans Now Suspect COVID-19 'Vaccines' Caused Mass-Deaths. - ZeroHedge.
- Poll Majority of Americans believe COVID-19 vaccines caused a significant number of unexplained deaths. - NaturalNews.com. February 02, 2024.
- 56% of Americans now suspect COVID-19 'vaccines' caused mass-deaths. - sott.net.
- RFK Jr. to President Biden: No. 1 Driver of Vaccine Hesitancy Is Mistrust of Regulators. - Children's Health Defense.
- The Real Anthony Fauci Bill Gates Big Pharma and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health. - Robert F Kennedy Jr.
- Claims that millions of people have died from the COVID-19 vaccine. - U.S. Congress Document. June 26, 2024.
- FDA Launches Unified Adverse Event Tracking System, Critics Cite Unresolved Transparency Issues. - NaturalNews.com. March 14, 2026.
- Rasmussen Survey Reveals 1 in 10 Adults Experiencing Serious Side Effects from COVID-19 Vaccine. - NaturalNews.com. Patrick Lewis. November 26, 2025.
- Why We're Not Hearing About COVID Vaccine Side Effects. - Mercola.com. May 13, 2021.
- Excess deaths in Australia cannot be explained by any other mechanism other than the COVID shots. - kirschsubstack.com. March 13, 2026.
- ‘The More Doses You Get, The Sooner You are Likely to Die’: Japanese Data Suggest COVID Vaccines Led to Surge in Excess Deaths. - Children's Health Defense.
- Silent Slaughter: The COVID-19 Vaccine Cover-Up and the Millions Who Vanished. - BrightLearn.ai.
Please contact us for more information.