Survey: 55% Of Unvaccinated College Students Lie About Their Status

Are your classmates vaccinated? If they say they are, how do you know they’re telling the truth? A new study suggests they may not be.

Intelligent.com, a website that researches higher education programs, has published a new survey about how college students are responding to vaccine mandates on campus — and made some startling discoveries, chiefly that 55% of unvaccinated college students lie about being vaccinated at schools that mandate the vaccine.

“Despite the fact that most schools already allow medical and religious exemptions for other mandated vaccines, like measles and meningitis,” the report reads, “the most popular way for students to get around the COVID-19 vaccine requirement is to create or purchase a fake vaccination card.”

51% ADMIT TO LYING IN SOCIAL SETTINGS

Intelligent.com researchers examined responses from 1,250 unvaccinated students who attend colleges and universities across the nation. The survey was conducted via Pollfish, an online survey platform, on July 16, 2021, and distributed to students who are unvaccinated. Respondents were given a screening question to determine eligibility.

It found that nearly half of students who have lied purchased or created fake vaccine cards, and 15% said they made false claims of religious exemptions. Nineteen percent of students lie through verbal or written statements because their schools did not require proof of inoculation.

Fifty-one percent of students also admit to lying about vaccination in social settings.

Key findings indicate that most students lie to avoid uncomfortable conversations. Sixty percent of respondents said they do not tell the truth because it prevents conflict with people who have different opinions about the vaccine. Students also cite other reasons for lying in public, such as avoiding pressure to get vaccinated, being shamed for not being vaccinated, or being excluded from social activities.

MEN MORE LIKELY TO LIE THAN WOMEN

According to the report, male students are more likely to lie about vaccine status than female students, by 20%. Sixty-one percent of male college students lie about being vaccinated at school, and only 41% of female students fail to tell the truth.

Lying is also more prevalent among Asian and White students. Sixty percent of White students and sixty-five percent of Asian students share misinformation about their COVID-19 vaccine status. Hispanic/Latino and Black students represent 48% and 40% of students who lie, respectively.

Intelligent.com commissioned the study to examine challenges with vaccine requirements at American colleges and universities. To access the complete report, visit here.

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