US Adults’ Feelings Toward Vaccination Against Respiratory Illnesses

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) recently released results of a survey capturing the current attitudes and behaviors US adults have about common respiratory diseases including influenza (flu), COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease. While a key finding was that more than 2 in 3 American adults believe an annual flu vaccination is best to stay safe during flu season, almost half (45%) of respondents said they do not plan on receiving the vaccine, with overall concerns about respiratory diseases and vaccination rates dropping in the US.^1,2

“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,” said CDC Director Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH.³ “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.”

With consistently low vaccination rates persisting from before the COVID-19 pandemic,² as well as declining concerns about respiratory diseases, the NFID’s survey comes during peak respiratory disease season, when adults and children alike are most susceptible to the flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal disease. Results of this survey can inform pharmacists as they head into peak seasons and serve as the front line of defense for Americans to stay protected during the next few months.

READ MORE: New England Ranks as Most Vaccinated Region in the US

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References

1. 2024 national survey: Attitudes and behaviors about influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, and pneumococcal disease. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. September 25, 2024. Accessed September 27, 2024. https://www.nfid.org/resource/2024-national-survey-attitudes-and-behaviors-about-influenza-covid-19-respiratory-syncytial-virus-and-pneumococcal-disease/

2. The implications of low vaccination rates. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. August 31, 2023. Accessed September 27, 2024. https://www.nfid.org/the-implications-of-low-vaccination-rates/

3. As concerns about respiratory diseases among public drop to new lows, US health officials urge vaccination. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. September 25, 2024. Accessed September 27, 2024. https://www.nfid.org/as-concerns-about-respiratory-diseases-among-public-drop-to-new-lows-us-health-officials-urge-vaccination/

4. Perlis RH, Ognyanova K, Uslu A, et al. Trust in physicians and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic in a 50-state survey of US adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(7):e2424984. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24984

5. Healthcare professionals discuss pneumococcal vaccination best practices. American Lung Association. December 20, 2023. Accessed September 27, 2024. https://www.lung.org/blog/pneumonia-vaccination-best-practices