Half in new poll say it should be illegal to deny service, employment to unvaccinated

Half of Americans believe it should be illegal for companies to deny service or employment to those who are unvaccinated, according to a new Axios-Ipsos poll.

Overall, the poll shows that 51 percent of those surveyed believe it should be illegal to deny service or employment, a view held by 55 percent of Republicans and 46 percent of Democrats. 

The most significant factor in where people stood on the issue was education, as opposed to race, gender or party affiliation, noted Axios.

While 58 percent of people with a high school degree or less agreed that it should be illegal to deny service to the unvaccinated, 44 percent of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher said the same.

The results come as President Biden clashes with Republican governors over his vaccine mandates for federal contractors, health workers and businesses with more than 100 employees. 

However, the poll found that 60 percent of Americans support Biden’s vaccine mandate: More than 80 percent of Democrats are in favor, compared to 30 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of independents.

The poll also shows a stark partisan divide over whether employers should require vaccines. Overall, 54 percent agree with employers requiring employees to be vaccinated, including 30 percent of Republicans and 78 percent of Democrats. 

Additionally, 65 percent of those surveyed support companies requiring customers to be masked while working.

The Axios-Ipsos Poll poll was conducted from Dec. 10 to 13 and surveyed 993 people over 18. The margin of error is 3.5 percentage points.