Many Americans wary of vaccines as fall flu and COVID season approaches, poll finds

THURSDAY, Sept. 12, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Many Americans are undecided about annual flu and COVID vaccines, a new survey finds.

More than a third of respondents (37%) said they had gotten vaccinated in the past but do not plan to do so this year, according to results of a national survey from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Only a slight majority (56 percent) plan to get a flu vaccine this fall, the researchers found.

Less than half (43%) say they will get the updated COVID vaccine.

“We’re at the beginning of respiratory virus season, when you have the triple threat of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV,” said researcher Dr. Nora Colburn, medical director of clinical epidemiology at The Ohio State University Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital.

“Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about vaccines, but the reality is that they are safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness and death,” Colburn added in a university news release. “Older adults, people with certain chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women are at particular risk during respiratory virus season.”

It is recommended that everyone 6 years of age or older get an updated influenza vaccine annually, and everyone 6 months of age or older is recommended to get an updated COVID vaccine.

RSV vaccines are primarily recommended for older people, including everyone over 75 years of age and people 60 to 74 years of age who are at higher risk for severe disease. Pregnant women are also recommended to get vaccinated against RSV.

“Vaccines play a critical role in helping keep people and communities healthy,” Colburn said. “Other things you can do are stay home when you’re sick, avoid people who are sick, and wear a mask if you’re not feeling well and go outside. All of these things can help keep you from getting sick and spreading the disease to others.”

The survey involved 1,006 people who were polled in mid-August.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more information on why to get vaccinated.

SOURCE: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, press release, September 12, 2024