Most state lawmakers are vaccinated, but getting Republicans onboard is a struggle

There’s a sharp divide in this country when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. People who align with the Democrats are much more likely to have been vaccinated, while those aligned with Republicans are dismissive.

That divide holds true in Lansing as well.

MLive sent a questionnaire to all 146 state lawmakers regarding their opinions of the vaccine and whether they have been vaccinated or not. The results are disappointing though unsurprising.

Of State Senate Democrats, 100% have been vaccinated. At least 71% of House Democrats have also received a vaccine.

The numbers on the other side of the aisle are less – much less. Only 30% of State Senate Republicans and 17% of House Republicans have admitted to being vaccinated. Some didn’t answer one way or the other.

That presents a challenge for state health officials. How can you get a regular citizen to get inoculated if you can’t even get their leaders to?

Matt Grossman, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University, told MLive that leaders’ actions have an effect.

“If you hear messages repeatedly in your social network and in media that it’s safe and effective, and everybody’s doing it, you’re going to be more likely to do it,” he said. “Obviously with the opposite messages, less likely to do that.”

You can read the full story on MLive.