There is a lot of hesitancy.
A recent survey has revealed that many Americans are not planning to receive vaccinations for the flu or COVID-19 this season. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, only 38% of U.S. adults are certain they will get the flu shot, while just 26% intend to receive the updated COVID vaccine.
The survey also highlighted a lack of interest in other vaccines, with only 21% of eligible individuals considering the RSV vaccine and 24% the pneumococcal vaccine.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out the seriousness of these illnesses, noting that around 25,000 people in the U.S. died from flu-related complications and 75,000 from COVID-19 in 2023.
This hesitancy appears to stem from a general lack of concern among adults regarding infections; only 17% worry about contracting the flu, 20% about COVID-19, 16% about RSV, and 17% about pneumococcal disease.
Following the survey’s release, Cohen and other health experts participated in a flu vaccination clinic, emphasizing the importance of immunizations. “We can protect ourselves and those we love by receiving the updated vaccines, which can significantly reduce the risk of severe illness from flu and COVID-19,” Cohen stated. She urged everyone aged six months and older to get an annual flu shot and the updated COVID-19 vaccine soon.
The current season’s interest in vaccination is lower than last year’s, where just 45% of adults received the flu vaccine. Alarmingly, only 46% of adults with chronic health conditions were vaccinated last season, raising concerns due to their higher risk of severe complications from respiratory infections, as noted by Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr., medical director of the NFID.
Interestingly, experiencing flu symptoms appears to increase the likelihood of seeking vaccination. The NFID survey found that nearly 72% of adults diagnosed with the flu in the past two years plan to get the flu vaccine.
The CDC’s data shows that the 2023-2024 flu season has been moderately severe, resulting in approximately 41 million illnesses, 490,000 hospitalizations, and 25,000 deaths related to the flu.
Many individuals hesitant to get vaccinated cite concerns about side effects or a general mistrust of vaccines. Dr. Reed Tuckson, co-founder of the Black Coalition Against COVID, emphasized the importance of fostering trust and supporting informed decision-making regarding vaccinations.
“The pandemic demonstrated that we could address some of the disparities in immunization rates within communities of color, but much work remains,” Tuckson noted. He added that having guidance from familiar and trusted healthcare professionals is crucial in building vaccine confidence in minority communities.
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