Vaccination Nation: Gen Z is optimistic for better days ahead.
With COVID-19 vaccines rolling out across the country, our most recent study of 1,085 Gen Z (age 13-24) found 69% say they either have received at least one dose of the vaccine, have an upcoming appointment on the books, or plan to book one once they become eligible to do so in their state. While 17% say they are still unsure (and 7% noted they are not yet old enough to become eligible), only 7% say they do not plan to be vaccinated.
Those who identify as non-binary and as men are more likely than women to say they have received the vaccine or plan to: 77% and 76% vs 66%, respectively. But the biggest difference shows up across political leanings. Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) of those who identify as conservative share they do not plan to get the vaccine, compared to 6% of moderates and 4% of liberals.
Despite this difference, young people across the political spectrum are feeling pretty optimistic about a future vaccinated world. When we asked ‘How much do you think life will improve for you once the majority of Americans are vaccinated?’ 63% of those who say they are conservative or moderate said it will improve a lot, compared to 65% of those who identify as liberal. 70% of men and 58% of women said the same, however, only 39% of those who identify as non-binary think so—with majority (58%) saying life will improve a little. Across all respondents, only 8% think it will make no difference for them personally, which is significantly less than the 22% of all US adults when Pew asked the question back in February.
While the majority acknowledge the vaccine rollout will bring a brighter future ahead, only 1 in 4 (26%) of Gen Z say they feel optimistic right now in general—and yet, we see a big split across gender. 40% of those who identify as male say they feel optimistic, compared to 21% of those who identify as female and only 8% of those who identify as non-binary. The most selected feelings, each with 30% across the board, are stress and anxiety, with more women and non-binary Gen Z reporting both (38% of women and 27% of non-binary report feeling stressed) than their male counterparts (15%).
Of course, we know the ongoing pandemic is a big cause of stress among young people, and remain hopeful the vaccination rollout will begin to ease the burden of the past year. Over half (56%) believe COVID-19 having an impact on their mental health (63% of women and non-binary vs. 44% of men)—the top answer.
Methodology: Survey of 1,085 DoSomething members in the US ages 13–25, with responses taken April 2, 2021 — April 5, 2021.