SURVEY: Few Adults Plan to Get Respiratory Vaccinations for 2024-2025 Season

In a new survey by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, investigators found that few adults in the United States intend to get vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or pneumococcal disease for the 2024-2025 season. Respondents reported concerns about adverse events (AEs) and a general distrust of vaccines, according to a news release.¹

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"Last flu season, an estimated 25,000 people in the US died from flu or related complications and 75,000 from COVID-19 in 2023, demonstrating how dangerous these diseases can be," Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, director of the CDC, said in the news release. "We can protect ourselves and those we care about by getting updated vaccines to reduce the risk of serious illness from flu and COVID-19 and do more of the things we enjoy. I encourage everyone 6 months and older to get an annual flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks."¹

The survey was conducted from August 8 to 12, 2024, which included 1160 complete responses. Of the responses 1130 were from online and 30 by telephone. Adults 18 years and older were included, representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia.²

Of note, 75% of adults trust their physicians, nurses, and pharmacists either a great deal or a lot, with only 55% being trustful of the CDC and 51% being trustful of state and local health departments. Pharmacists play an important role in educating patients about getting vaccinated for the upcoming respiratory season.²

FLU VACCINATIONS

The findings showed that 67% of adults in the US agreed that annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths, but 45% said they do not plan on or are unsure if they will get vaccinated this upcoming season. Similar rates were seen for COVID-19 with only 26% saying they will get an updated vaccine, 21% saying they will get vaccinated against RSV, and 24% against pneumococcal disease.²

Among those who do not plan to get the flu vaccine, 40% are concerned about AEs, 33% distrust vaccines in general, 30% do not believe vaccines work well, and 29% have concerns about getting sick from the vaccine. Approximately 76% of adults aged 65 and older plan to get a flu vaccine compared with 48% of those aged 18 to 64 years. Of those who were at high-risk of complications, 49% said they will definitely get vaccinated and 23% probably will get vaccinated.²

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS

Approximately 61% of US adults do not plan on or are unsure that they will get an updated COVID-19 vaccination. However, investigators found those at high risk of complications, including those 65 years and older and those with chronic health conditions, 51% plan on getting the updated vaccine.²

Like with the flu vaccinations, 56% were concerned about AEs, 37% are distrustful of vaccines, 32% are concerned about getting sick from the vaccine, and 30% do not believe it works well. Among those who will, probably will, or are unsure about getting vaccinated, 79% cite protecting themselves as the top reasons they want to get the vaccine, 73% said to protect their family, 65% said to avoid severe complications, and 54% said to protect their community.²

RSV VACCINATION

Among those who are recommended to receive the RSV vaccine, only 38% say they will get vaccinated. For those who will (21%), probably will (17%), or are unsure (18%), the top reasons to receive the vaccination include to protect themselves (72%), avoid severe complications (61%), due to doctor recommendation (59%), and to protect their family (58%).²

Furthermore, for those who will not get vaccinated, respondents said they were concerned about the AEs (45%), concerned about getting sick from the vaccine (38%), distrustful of vaccines (38%), and doctor had not recommended it (24%).²

PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE

Approximately 25% of those at high risk for pneumococcal disease have already been vaccinated and 44% plan to get vaccines, with the top reasons for not getting vaccinated including safety (41%), getting sick (32%), and distrust (32%).²

REFERENCES

1. As Concerns about Respiratory Diseases Among Public Drop to New Lows, US Health Officials Urge Vaccination. News release. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. September 25, 2024. Accessed September 25, 2024. https://www.nfid.org/as-concerns-about-respiratory-diseases-among-public-drop-to-new-lows-us-health-officials-urge-vaccination/

2. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. 2024 National Survey: Attitudes and Behaviors about Influenza, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Pneumococcal Disease. September 25, 2024. Accessed September 25, 2024. https://www.nfid.org/resource/2024-national-survey-attitudes-and-behaviors-about-influenza-covid-19-respiratory-syncytial-virus-and-pneumococcal-disease/