Decline in Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
Vaccination rates for both COVID-19 and the flu have seen a decline, with a notable portion of the U.S. population expressing disinterest in receiving either vaccine this year, as per a recent survey.
The survey, conducted by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, revealed that merely about 20% of Americans are concerned about potential infections from the flu, COVID-19, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affecting themselves or their family members.
Around 43% of adults conveyed they either do not intend to or are uncertain about getting the flu vaccine. Only 40% confirmed their plans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and among those aged 60 and above, the same percentage expressed intent to get vaccinated against RSV.
When probed about their hesitancy, respondents listed concerns about potential side effects, mistrust in vaccines, and the belief that vaccines might not be effective.
CDC Director Pushes for Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Amid Low Uptake
During a press briefing unveiling the survey results, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director (CDC) Mandy Cohen shared that only 47% of U.S. adults got a flu shot in the 2022-2023 respiratory season, a drop from 49% in the 2021-2022 season.
Cohen strongly encouraged everyone aged 6 months and older to get vaccinated against both the flu and COVID-19 this season.
She highlighted that new data from the agency showed vaccines prevented over 66,000 flu-related hospitalizations the previous year. Cohen emphasized that a staggering 97% of those hospitalized for the flu were unvaccinated.
Elderly adults were more inclined to get the flu vaccine compared to younger ones: 35% of those aged 18-49, 50% of those aged 50-64, and 70% of those aged 65 and above.
However, there was a noted decline in flu vaccination rates among children, pregnant individuals, and healthcare providers. For expecting mothers, the vaccination rate stood at 47%, a significant drop from the 58% seen before the pandemic.
Only 27% of women reported getting a COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine either before or during their pregnancy.
For children between 6 months to 17 years, flu vaccination rates remained consistent with the 2021-2022 season, but were lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Cohen expressed that the CDC anticipates a milder respiratory virus season compared to last year when hospitals, especially pediatric units, were overwhelmed. This was due to the early onset of flu and RSV coinciding with a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Cohen, along with other health officials, has been emphasizing the updated COVID-19 shots and the debut of shots to prevent RSV in adults over 60.
She acknowledged that certain states and localities have introduced additional requirements for the RSV shot, such as prescription mandates. However, insurance companies are mandated to cover it.
Vaccines for infants are set to be launched soon.
“It’s exciting we have these tools. We need to use them,” Cohen concluded.
With information from The Hill
