Table 3. Five statements for which there was high agreement concerning whether they should be classified as “facts” and high levels of endorsement as a function of ideological group.
| Item | Ideological Group | Percentage of Group Rate as Fact | Percentage of Group Endorse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberals | 71.52% | 94.94% | |
| “Delaying or refusing vaccinations leaves children unprotected against many dangerous diseases.” | Moderates | 68.25% | 90.48% |
| Conservatives | 61.45% | 87.95% | |
| Total | 68.12% | 91.38% | |
| Liberals | 70.25% | 93.67% | |
| “Vaccinations against dangerous diseases have saved more lives than drugs in the late 20th century, such as the development and use of antibiotics.” | Moderates | 61.11% | 93.65% |
| Conservatives | 60.24% | 83.13% | |
| Total | 64.85% | 91.28% | |
| Liberals | 67.72% | 94.30% | |
| “Vaccinations are necessary for eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases.” | Moderates | 59.52% | 93.65% |
| Conservatives | 55.42% | 85.54% | |
| Total | 62.13% | 92.10% | |
| Liberals | 81.65% | 95.57% | |
| “The creation of vaccinations consists of a long process in order to determine whether or not it is safe and effective for public use.” | Moderates | 64.29% | 92.06% |
| Conservatives | 63.86% | 84.34% | |
| Total | 71.66% | 91.83% | |
| Liberals | 7.59% | 10.76% | |
| “The increased number of vaccinations prior to a child’s second birthday is the reason why there has been an increase in Autism Spectrum Disorder in children.” | Moderates | 4.76% | 21.34% |
| Conservatives | 6.02% | 19.28% | |
| Total | 6.27% | 16.35% |