The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) conducted a survey of U.S. adults to better understand current attitudes and behaviors toward influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease. An annual survey was commissioned.
Overall, the survey found that a majority of U.S. adults (67%) agree that annual influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hospitalization and death from the flu. It was found that nearly half (45%) said they either had no plans to get vaccinated or said they had. I don’t know if they will get a flu shot this season. Only 38% said they definitely plan to get the flu vaccine this year.
The same applies to other respiratory disease vaccines.
26% will definitely get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. 21% definitely plan to get RSV vaccination (of those recommended). 24% plan to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease (of those recommended).
Among those not planning to get vaccinated, the most common reasons cited were fear of side effects, distrust of vaccines in general, fear of getting sick from vaccines, or concerns about vaccines overall. The belief was that it wouldn’t work.
The findings highlight the need to raise awareness about the risks of respiratory diseases and the safety and benefits of vaccines, both in terms of preventing infections and reducing the risk of hospitalization and death. Health professionals remain the most trusted source of information about vaccines and play a critical role in protecting public health by providing clear, consistent and strong vaccine recommendations. Most U.S. adults (75%) trust their doctors, nurses, and pharmacists a lot or a lot. Slightly more than half of U.S. adults (55%) trust the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and 51% trust state and local health departments a lot or a lot.
Still, overall, fewer than 1 in 5 U.S. adults expressed concern that they or someone in their household would contract a respiratory infection this fall and winter.
16% are concerned about RSV. 17% are concerned about the flu. 17% are concerned about pneumococcal disease. 20% are concerned about COVID-19.
Concern about COVID-19 has declined over time, with 23% of U.S. adults reporting being very or very concerned about COVID-19 in 2023 and 23% of U.S. adults reporting being very or extremely concerned about COVID-19 in 2022. 34% reported.
