Just 45% of Americans over the age of 50 say they are likely to get an improved version of the COVID-19 vaccine this vaccination season, according to a University of Michigan poll conducted today.
The poll showed that many people at high risk of severe illness are unlikely to get vaccinated, and that interest in an improved vaccine varies widely by age group, education level and other factors.
The findings are from a National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted in August, when COVID-19 vaccines had not yet been widely available but had been approved for use and were recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Among adults age 75 and older, 59% said they would likely get the latest version of a COVID-19 vaccine, including 49% who said they were very likely and 10% who said they were somewhat likely. Among adults ages 65-74, 51% said they were likely to get vaccinated.
Education level matters
More people aged 50 to 64 said they were less likely to get the new vaccine, with 55% saying they were “unlikely” and 37% saying they were “likely.”
In 2023, nearly half of hospitalized COVID patients in the U.S. were people aged 75 or older.
The poll also revealed demographic differences: Adults with a bachelor’s degree were more likely to get vaccinated, at 54%, compared with 41% of those with less education. Overall, women were slightly more likely than men to say they would get vaccinated.
Our new polling data suggests that health care providers and health care organizations need to do more to encourage older adults to get vaccinated early.
“Our new polling data suggests that health care providers and health care organizations need to do more to encourage older adults to get vaccinated quickly, especially given the current wave of case growth and the possibility of a new wave of case growth this winter,” Priti Malani, MD, senior adviser to the poll, said in a University of Michigan press release.
