A recent survey conducted by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases reveals concerning trends in vaccination intentions among US adults for the upcoming 2024-2025 respiratory disease season, despite significant mortality rates from respiratory illnesses in the previous year.
Current Disease Burden and Healthcare Impact
Last season's statistics underscore the serious nature of respiratory diseases, with approximately 25,000 Americans dying from flu-related complications and 75,000 from COVID-19 in 2023. CDC Director Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, emphasizes the critical role of vaccination in preventing these outcomes: "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."
Survey Methodology and Trust in Healthcare Providers
The comprehensive survey, conducted in August 2024, gathered 1,160 responses from adults across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A notable finding shows that while 75% of adults maintain strong trust in physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, confidence in public health institutions is lower, with only 55% trusting the CDC and 51% trusting state and local health departments.
Vaccination Intent Across Different Respiratory Diseases
Influenza Vaccination Trends
Despite 67% of adults acknowledging the effectiveness of annual flu vaccines in preventing hospitalizations and deaths, only 55% plan to get vaccinated or are considering it. The disparity is particularly evident across age groups, with 76% of adults over 65 planning to get vaccinated compared to 48% of those aged 18-64.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
The survey reveals that 61% of adults are either uncertain about or planning to skip the updated COVID-19 vaccine. However, among high-risk individuals, including those over 65 and those with chronic conditions, 51% intend to get vaccinated. Primary motivations for those considering vaccination include self-protection (79%), family protection (73%), and avoiding severe complications (65%).
RSV and Pneumococcal Vaccination Plans
Only 38% of eligible individuals plan to receive the RSV vaccine, while 24% intend to get pneumococcal vaccination. For those already at high risk for pneumococcal disease, 25% report current vaccination status, with an additional 44% planning to get vaccinated.
Common Barriers to Vaccination
Across all vaccines, similar patterns of hesitancy emerge:
- Concerns about adverse events (ranging from 40-56% depending on the vaccine)
- General vaccine distrust (32-38%)
- Fear of illness from vaccination (29-38%)
- Skepticism about vaccine efficacy (30% for both flu and COVID-19)
These findings highlight the ongoing challenge of vaccine hesitancy and the critical need for healthcare providers to address patient concerns through education and transparent communication about vaccine safety and efficacy.
