BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A commonly checked piece of information when visiting the vet is the vaccine status of a pet. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, those who were skeptical of vaccine effectiveness have translated that hesitancy to their pets.
According to a survey published in late 2024, the American Veterinary Medical Association found 21.7% of dog owners and 25.9% of cat owners could be classified as “vaccine hesitant,” which it defines as “a delay in acceptance, or refusal of vaccines, despite their availability.”
Another survey published the year prior explored reasons as to why people might be hesitant. When asked about efficacy, 22% said possible side effects outweigh benefits. When asked about necessity, 30% said most vaccines dogs receive are not medically necessary. And when asked about safety, 37% said some vaccines can cause dogs to develop autism like cognitive issues. Read more…
