A significant portion of Americans believe that someone they know may have passed away due to side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, with a substantial number expressing potential interest in participating as plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against vaccine manufacturers.
According to the latest national survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports, 24% of American Adults claim personal acquaintance with someone who succumbed to side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast, a majority, comprising 69%, do not have any such personal connection to such an incident.
The survey involved a sample of 1,110 American Adults and was carried out between October 26 and 29-30, 2023, with a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
Furthermore, the survey unveiled that 42% of respondents express a likelihood of participating in a major class-action lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies in the event of such a legal action being initiated due to vaccine side effects.
Among these, 24% indicate a very strong inclination to join such a lawsuit. Conversely, 47% of participants do not anticipate their involvement in such a class-action lawsuit against vaccine makers, with 25% deeming it highly unlikely. An additional 11% remain uncertain about their stance on the matter.
The survey also delves into personal experiences with COVID-19 and its consequences. Nearly half, accounting for 47%, of respondents report knowing someone personally who lost their life to the COVID-19 virus. On the flip side, 49% state that they do not have any personal connection to a COVID-19 related fatality.
Of those who claim familiarity with a COVID-19 related demise, 41% also assert knowing someone who suffered fatal side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast, among those who lack any knowledge of a COVID-19 related fatality, only 9% claim acquaintance with someone who died from vaccine side effects.
The survey findings also highlight notable demographic disparities. For instance, 69% of respondents who claim personal acquaintance with someone who succumbed to vaccine side effects express a willingness to participate in a major class-action lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among males under the age of 40.
Additionally, racial and ethnic differences emerge in the survey results. While 43% of white respondents, 52% of black respondents, and 57% of respondents from other minority groups claim personal acquaintance with someone who passed away due to the COVID-19 virus, there are disparities in the percentages of those who know someone who died from vaccine side effects. Notably, a higher percentage of black respondents express a willingness to participate in a class-action lawsuit for vaccine side effects compared to their white counterparts.
Interestingly, political affiliation does not seem to significantly influence respondents' views on these matters. Whether Republican, Democrat, or unaffiliated, a similar proportion of respondents indicate personal acquaintance with someone who passed away due to vaccine side effects.
Furthermore, marital status appears to play a role in respondents' experiences and perspectives. Married individuals are more likely than their unmarried counterparts to have personal connections to both COVID-19 and vaccine side effects-related fatalities. They are also more inclined to consider joining a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies.
Lastly, the occupational sector appears to influence respondents' perspectives, with government employees being more than twice as likely as private sector workers to claim personal acquaintance with someone who succumbed to vaccine side effects.
Read more at www.rasmussenreports.com
