In recent months, the public has been more positive than negative about the agency’s communications, including in a late July measure that found 39% agreeing and 32% disagreeing. This most recent reading preceded the controversy over the agency’s revised guidance on the need for vaccinated Americans to wear face masks in public…

After initially being divided about the agency’s communication in polling conducted last summer, Americans grew more critical of it last fall amid concerns about possible political influence in the vaccine approval process. In September, 41% disagreed and 25% agreed the CDC had communicated a clear plan. The public gave a similarly critical review in January, during the initial slow rollout of the vaccination process and when U.S. coronavirus deaths and infections were peaking.

In subsequent months, as the coronavirus situation improved, Americans tended to be more positive than negative toward the CDC. The exception was a divided May reading after the agency abruptly announced that fully vaccinated Americans no longer needed to wear face masks in public.