Q&A: Understanding the Cause of Declining Vaccination Rates Amidst Flu Season

November 4, 2024

News

Article

Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, APRN, discussed declining influenza and COVID-19 vaccination rates and how it has created a looming threat for public health officials.

In part 2 of her interview with Drug Topics, Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, APRN, addressed the issue of declining vaccination rates and overall vaccine hesitancy that has plagued public health initiatives, especially regarding the influenza and updated COVID-19 vaccines. From the trials and tribulations of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 to the winter season over 4 years later, respiratory diseases usually run rampant during this time of the year.

“The provision of health care is certainly a very personal thing. Individuals seek health care based upon what they value, what is readily available to them, how easy it is, [and] how convenient it is,” said Carrico. “Just like all of us are different, all of us have different value systems. We are all going to approach health care very differently. But I think our job is to determine, as a society, what things are important to us.”

Based on weekly CDC national surveys, under 25% of US adults have received a flu vaccination and under 15% have received their updated COVID-19 vaccination. | image credit: Ratana21 / stock.adobe.com

Carrico dove into the declining statistics and discussed how all patients are unique. In order to combat an increasing number of individuals unconcerned with infectious diseases, providers are encouraged to serve their patients with nuance and create unique relationships that transcend health care.

Drug Topics: Based on weekly CDC national surveys, under 25% of US adults have received a flu vaccination and under 15% have received their updated COVID-19 vaccination. What do you believe has caused such a notable shift in faith towards vaccines?

Ruth Carrico: I think there are a number of issues. Number one, I think, is general fatigue about vaccines. We have really had tremendous changes over the last several years about how many vaccines are available, when to be vaccinated, what are the decisions about vaccine. I think it's human nature and after a while, we just become overwhelmed and tired. So, this fatigue is a recognized factor. But fatigue should not be confused with the need or the desire to be inactive. As a public health provider and professional, a long-time health care worker, it's my job to make sure that our messages are still on target, and that yes, we understand hesitance, we understand if there are questions regarding a vaccine: “Will the vaccine help me?” “Do I as an individual need it?” “Will this go a long way in helping me maintain my health, my ability to do what I want to do?”

I've got to address those questions openly, transparently, and honestly with my patient and realize that not every patient experiences the same level of risk. Certainly, as we age, we have a number of underlying health conditions that can challenge us if we become infected with any of these respiratory viruses. But…each of us is unique. Each of us is a unique individual. We react and respond to infections very differently. So that makes it hard for me to look at a person [and] say, “I think you'll do well with that vaccine, or vaccination,” or [to] another person, “You may do well.” I don't know, and I don't think any of us can do that, not even with our best prediction tools can we determine that with clarity.

So instead, it's important that we start at the beginning and that we say, “What is it that we know about respiratory viruses and respiratory virus season?” We know that we will continuously be confronted with these viruses. We know that they are very adept, very clever at identifying our physiologic, our human weaknesses, and will take advantage of those underlying conditions. But they also take advantage of a healthy individual. Our job is to say, “We understand these viruses represent a risk. We understand that there are a number of actions that we can take to help minimize their impact,” and vaccination is one of those.

So, it's incumbent upon me as a health care provider to be open with my patient. What I tell my patient is, “When I'm with you, you're the most important person in my life.” I'm going to turn my phone over. I'm turning my back on the computer system. I want to listen to you. I want to talk with you about what I think the data are regarding your individual risk factors, and then, [with] vaccines and vaccination, what is the science behind these? What are the data show us? And what then, in my opinion, as an experienced health care provider, what can I bring then to you? Because my goal is to give you the best information so you can make the best decisions for your health, because I want you to come back and see me. I want you to come back next year, or next month, whenever we meet again. I want you to be there to be able to tell me what's happened in your life and how are you doing, what else is going on in your family. I want to be able to celebrate your health and your wellness, and I do this by partnering with these public health tools that we have, and one of the strongest tools that we have in our toolkit is vaccination.

Drug Topics: Do you believe there's an inherent flaw within the health care system that has translated into declining vaccination rates?

Ruth Carrico: Well, I think that the provision of health care is certainly a very personal thing. Individuals seek health care based upon what they value, what is readily available to them, how easy it is, how convenient it is. There are a number of factors. Just like all of us are different, all of us have different value systems, we are all going to approach health care very differently. But I think our job is to determine, as a society, what things are important to us.

Is it important that we have equal opportunity for best practice care? If so, then it's important for us to look at how and where is health care provided, what are the needs of our communities, and realize that our communities are all different. How do we bring then what is necessary to a community in ways that are going to be accepted and acceptable by members of that community, and then start from there. All health care is local, and in understanding then the local health care system and needs, what we have and what we don't have is an important place to start.

Ready to impress your pharmacy colleagues with the latest drug information, industry trends, and patient care tips? Sign up today for our free Drug Topics newsletter.