What Oklahomans really think about vaccine requirements — and why it matters | Oklahoma Memo

In today’s episode, Oklahoma Memo founder and curator Ryan Welton welcomes Timothy Lee, Senior Vice President at the Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF), to discuss a new poll spanning four conservative states — Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kansas.

The results cut sharply against the national narrative:

Large majorities in every state oppose eliminating vaccine mandates, especially for children.

Tim explains how the poll was conducted, why voters separate COVID vaccines from long-standing childhood immunizations, and why accessibility to vaccines (insurance coverage, pharmacies) polls at nearly 90% support.

We also explore:

• How Florida sparked the debate by ending all vaccine mandates

• Why Oklahomans’ views don’t match online rhetoric

• The role of intellectual property and vaccine innovation in U.S. public health

• Why these findings should matter to legislators heading into 2026

Visit the CFIF website: https://cfif.org/v/

Link to story about the poll: https://cfif.org/v/index.php/press-room/7432-new-poll-red-state-voters-oppose-eliminating-vaccine-requirements-by-wide-margins

And that story has links to each individual state's poll as well as a combined poll.

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