COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Estimates for Public Use Microdata Areas

The dataset provides modeled hesitancy rates for COVID-19 vaccination at the Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) level, with each PUMA containing at least 100,000 people. Estimates were developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services using Household Pulse Survey data from May 26 to June 7, 2021 (Week 31) and American Community Survey microdata. It is intended to support state and local communication and outreach efforts.

Use Cases

• Analyze the relationship between sociodemographic information from the ACS and predicted hesitancy rates at the PUMA level.
• Map geographic patterns of vaccine hesitancy using state, region, and PUMA identifiers to identify high-need areas.
• Compare hesitancy estimates derived from the Household Pulse Survey's intention to vaccinate variable across different sociodemographic groups.

Strengths

• Estimates are based on nationally representative surveys: the Household Pulse Survey and the American Community Survey.
• Provides sub-state geographic granularity at the Public Use Microdata Area level, with each PUMA covering at least 100,000 people.
• Data is sourced from authoritative U.S. federal agencies: the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Limitations

• Hesitancy rates are modeled predictions, not direct survey measurements, introducing potential estimation error.
• The estimates for the specified period (May-June 2021) are not directly comparable to prior survey waves due to instrument changes, limiting trend analysis.
• The dataset's temporal coverage is limited to a specific two-week period in 2021, which may not reflect later shifts in public opinion.

Provenance

Source

United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Census Bureau.

Collection Method

Hesitancy rates were modeled by combining intention-to-vaccinate data from the Household Pulse Survey with sociodemographic and geographic variables from the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample.

Time Range

Survey collection period: May 26, 2021 to June 7, 2021 (Household Pulse Survey Week 31).

Freshness

Data reflects survey collection from May 26 to June 7, 2021; metadata was last updated in February 2026.

Geography

United States, with estimates at the state, county, and Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) levels.