Survey: 8 in 10 Patients Believe Immunization Protects Them From Public Health Threats

The majority of patients (8 in 10) and pharmacists (9 in 10) believe that immunizations protect patients from future public health threats, according to results of a Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress (CVEEP) survey. The CVEEP also reported that the majority of patients and pharmacists believe that it is important for the United States to prioritize vaccine development and distribution to prepare for future public health threats.¹

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“These survey results clearly show that strengthening research and development, along with ensuring equitable access to all available vaccines, is critical to our preparedness for the next pandemic,” Beth Battaglino, president of HealthyWomen, said in a news release. “Americans want a better understanding of the science behind vaccines and more control over their health care decisions. It’s essential to provide trusted information to empower individuals and build confidence in vaccines as a public health tool.”²

The 2024 State of Infectious Disease Preparedness survey was conducted by Ispso on behalf of CVEEP and was supported by Novavax. The survey consisted of a 15-minute online questionnaire from April 19, 2024, to May 10, 2024, and there were 150 pharmacists and 1482 patients 18 years and older included in the study. The investigators aimed to balance age, gender, education, income, region, race, and ethnicity for the survey. Further, the survey had at least 100 individuals for low socioeconomic status, rural location, immunocompromised, informal caregivers, elderly patients, parents of young children, and people of color.²

The investigators also reported that 94% of patients and 95% of pharmacists believe that people need to understand basic medical and scientific terms or concepts in order to be ready to handle infectious diseases and public health threats. Furthermore, 90% and 88%, respectively, prefer having choices in a COVID-19 vaccine, with 89% of patients expressing they have a preference of vaccine.¹

Additionally, trustworthiness of information about infectious diseases and therapies are important to prepare for future public health threats for 72% of patients and for 85% of pharmacists. On the other hand, clear and easily understandable information about infectious diseases and therapies are important for 70% and 80%, respectively, according to investigators.¹

Furthermore, investigators found that individuals who are unvaccinated are more likely to believe they do not have all the information needed to prepare for another infectious disease public health crisis at 45% compared with 33% of vaccinated individuals. For future pandemics, approximately 3 out of 4 patients and pharmacists believe that another pandemic will occur in their lifetime, with 63% of patients saying they think the next pandemic could happen within the next 6 years.²

Investigators also found that 42% of patients and 37% of pharmacists said there is little to no trust in the information they receive about public health threats, especially in rural areas where distrust was reported to be higher at 50%.²

In an article on Pharmacy Times, the author notes that vaccination can successfully improve health outcomes within a community, but there are barriers in access for some members in receiving a vaccination. Gaps in vaccination were prevalent in the COVID-19 pandemic; however, gaps go beyond the pandemic alone. For example, vulnerable communities showed lower vaccination rates for some respiratory diseases before the pandemic. To address this, vaccine gap closure programs led by pharmacists are a good community outreach program to help provide vaccinations and education to vulnerable populations.³

REFERENCES

1. Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress. New CVEEP Survey: Pandemic Preparedness and Public Understanding of Vaccine Science. About Our Survey. October 2024. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://cveep.org/vaccines/pandemic-preparedness-and-public-understanding-of-vaccine-science/

2. Press Release: New Survey Highlights Importance of Pandemic Preparedness and Public Understanding of Vaccine Science. News release. Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and Progress. October 10, 2024. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://cveep.org/news/press-release-new-survey-highlights-importance-of-pandemic-preparedness-and-public-understanding-of-vaccine-science/

3. Halpern L. Successful Vaccine Gap Closure Programs Can Guide Pharmacists in Tailoring to Their Community. Pharmacy Times. October 8, 2024. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/successful-vaccine-gap-closure-programs-can-guide-pharmacists-in-tailoring-to-their-community