ToplineA new Morning Consult poll revealed that Fox News viewers are less skeptical about vaccines than they were in March. This suggests that some anchors of Fox News and other GOP figures may be making pro-vaccine statements to help combat the high rate of Covid-19 hesitancy among Republicans.Advertisement featuring Fox News anchors Bret Baileyer, Martha MacCallum and Tucker Carlson at the News Corporation building in New York City, March 13, 2019, 2019. Getty ImagesThe Key FactsMorning Consult conducts weekly polls to track vaccine skepticism in between 26,675-43,054 U.S adults. It found that 27% of Fox News viewers were uncertain about the Covid-19 vaccine or unwilling to receive it in its August 2 poll. This 27% figure is a record low for Fox News viewers, down from 37% and 30% respectively in mid-March. Fox News viewers have the highest level of vaccine skepticism of mainstream media consumers. Fox News viewers have a lower rate than those who receive their news from MSNBC, CNN, and New York Times. Their vaccine skepticism rates are all below 20%. These viewers are less likely to be concerned about vaccines than viewers who get their news from other media outlets. Snapchat users have 35% of the highest level of vaccine skepticism, followed by 31% of Instagram users. Reddit and Facebook users are around 30% and 30% respectively. Twitter users are comparable to Fox viewers.Important QuoteFox News stated that our coverage has been consistent with the overwhelming majority of our audience supporting vaccination efforts. The network previously spoke out about the coverage of Covid-19 vaccines to Forbes, stating that it has shown pro-vaccine PSAs as well as reporting on vaccines.Important BackgroundAccording to polling, Republicans have been the most resistant or hesitant demographic group about the Covid-19 vaccine. This has sparked a new wave pro-vaccine statements by major GOP figures in recent weeks. The Delta variant is booming in right-leaning states that have lower vaccination rates. Florida Gov. Florida Governor. Fox News anchors Sean Hannity and Steve Doocy have made louder calls to people to get vaccinated. This comes after Tucker Carlson and the network have been repeatedly criticised for encouraging vaccine doubt and skepticism in recent months. CNN reports that the White House has been in regular contact with Fox News regarding its coverage of vaccines. Despite these endorsements, there is still skepticism about Fox. Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade disagreed Thursday morning with Doocy's call for viewers to get vaccinated. Kilmeade stated that anchors shouldn't be recommending any medical advice.What we don't knowIt is unclear whether GOP officials who support vaccines have had an impact on Republicans who are further right than Fox News viewers. The Public Religion Research Institute recently found that far-right TV news channels like One America News or Newsmax are more likely to give up on the Covid-19 vaccine than Fox viewers. 46% refused to get the shot, compared to 18% for Fox. Fox News viewers were less likely than Republicans to approve of the vaccine, with 24% refusing vaccination.Continue readingFox News Personalities Promoted COVID-19 Vaccines. Viewers Have Taken Notice (Morning Consult)Fox News Offers Uncommon Views on Vaccines Despite All the Praise for Hannity and Doocy (Forbes).Some Republicans have changed their messaging on the COVID-19 Vaccine. Is it too little, or too late? (FiveThirtyEight).These Are the Republicans Most Likely to Refuse the Covid-19 Vaccine. Poll Results (Forbes).Live updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
