I don't recall it being as polarizing outside of the US, where there was a larger group of anti-vaxxers to begin with. But that might be my "outside US" bubble.
Oh it was, actually still is - our right wing party is still talking about this stuff regularly...
And, critically, a malignant narcissist in the highest office.
I don't know how things were in the US, but it was polarizing in Europe too.
People were holding protests. I know two friends who refused to get the vaccine and downloaded forged documents to be admitted into bars and clubs.
Very anecdotal, but after we went out together they both contracted Covid and had a high fever, while I luckily remained healthy.