COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the United States

This caused the Federation of State Medical Boards to issue a statement in July 2021 that any physicians who generate and spread vaccine misinformation or disinformation would risk disciplinary action.

[9][10] White House sources revealed in March 2021 that Trump and his wife, Melania, had secretly received the COVID-19 vaccine in January.

The change was accompanied by COVID-19 fatigue, the Delta variant surge, and the FDA's formal approval of the Pfizer vaccine.

[21][22] These included Marc Bernier (self-nicknamed "Mr. Antivax") from Daytona, Florida;[23] Dick Farrel, an anti-vaccine activist who referred to the pandemic as a "SCAM DEMIC";[23] Jimmy DeYoung Sr.;[24] and Phil Valentine.

[26] In November 2021, Marcus Lamb, an American televangelist and co-founder of the Daystar Television Network, who promoted skepticism toward all vaccines, died of COVID-19.

[27][28][29] Anti-vaccine podcaster Doug Kuzma fell ill shortly after attending the right-wing conference "ReAwaken America" in December 2021, and died of COVID-19 the following month.

[12] Claims that a previous exposure to the virus gives a superior natural immunity versus the vaccine have been scientifically dismissed.

[40] Local politics, including gubernatorial edicts against vaccine mandates as in Texas, also play a role in shaping public opinion.

[44] After the announcement of President Joe Biden of a country wide vaccine mandate in September 2021, many organizations and politicians such as the Republican National Committee, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich stated they would sue the administration.

[52] In July 2021, the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit American academic medical center with over 60,000 employees, announced they would require staff to get vaccinated.

[37] As of September 2021, a judge did not grant a temporary block on mandatory vaccinations and the suit will continue through normal court procedures.

[58] Clancy also described how 70 VA facilities were part of the vaccine trials during Operation Warp Speed, participation, she said, veterans should be "quite proud of.

"[58] As of July 1, 2021, of the 380,000 people who work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, 298,186 are fully vaccinated, or 78 percent, a percentage higher than the national average but below what VA officials want for those providing health care.

[62] The NFL's then-most recent MVP Aaron Rodgers was one of football's most prominent players to speak out against the vaccines and the league's protocols.