A shift in sentiment regarding inoculations amongst U.S. adults has been illustrated in a recent study. This study reveals that the proportion of U.S. adults intending to receive their standard vaccines this autumn has seen a decline. Out of the thousand and six participants surveyed, just under half (43%) reported received the COVID vaccine or have intentions to do so.
In addition, just over half (56%) of the adult participants have reported taking or anticipated taking the flu shot this season. Yet more dishearteningly, the data also suggests a possible trend away from traditional vaccines – approximately 37% of individuals who have previously been vaccinated plan to forgo immunizations this year.
Interestingly, about a third of the individuals partaking in the study opined that they did not require the vaccines listed in the survey, which included the influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines. Notably, vaccine hesitancy appears to be more prominent among younger demographics, with senior citizens, particularly those above 65, being more inclined to receive the recommended inoculations.
In the wake of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer for the 2024-2025 season, these findings provide valuable insight. Dr. Nora Colburn, medical director of clinical epidemiology at Ohio State’s Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, expounds on the context of these findings.
As we navigate the beginning stages of the respiratory virus season, characterized by the triple threat of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, Colburn highlights the unfortunate prevalence of misinformation regarding vaccinations. She emphasizes the proven safety and effectiveness of these vaccines in safeguarding against severe illness and death.
In particular, Colburn points out certain groups at higher risk during the respiratory virus season: the elderly, those living with specific chronic ailments, and pregnant individuals. These groups particularly need to consider taking precautions.
Providing his expert reaction to the survey’s results, Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco-based biotech firm, expressed a lack of surprise that 37% of individuals who were previously vaccinated do not plan to do so this year. In contrast, Glanville finds a glimmer of positivity: a 56% vaccination rate for the flu shot is somewhat above the usual, which typically hovers around half.
Glanville also offered his perspective on the slightly lower rate of COVID-19 vaccination as compared to the flu vaccination. He suggests this might be attributed to the public’s uncertainty about managing COVID-19 after the pandemic, owing to changes in information and guidelines.
There’s also a presence of fatigue among the public regarding COVID-19 vaccines. According to Glanville, the perception that these vaccines aren’t particularly adept at preventing symptoms has caused some to lose trust in their overall effectiveness – despite their proven ability to ward off serious illness.
Another medical expert, Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, also expressed concern about the survey’s findings. Noting that the efficacy of both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines diminishes after approximately six months, he posits that annual boosters are a rational approach for high-risk groups.
Dr. Siegel suggests an annual booster for seniors, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those battling chronic disease. He predicts the upcoming flu season will mirror the previous one, which he described as ‘moderate’ but still resulted in 25,000 fatalities and 400,000 hospitalizations.
Siegel held firm on the fact that flu shots could reduce the severity and hospitalization numbers by a significant one-fourth, while also providing community immunity. On the topic of COVID-19, Siegel noted that the virus’s activity is still relatively robust, particularly in the western parts of the U.S.
Siegel also voiced his concerns over a new COVID variety currently making its way around Europe, known as the XEC subvariant. He expressed his belief that this variant might soon reach the U.S., further stressing the importance of robust vaccination campaigns.
Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center and attending physician in Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, shared his professional insights with Siegel. Offit expressed concern over vaccination rates among young children, who are currently being hospitalized more frequently, likely due to lack of vaccination.
Siegel shared his recommendation of an annual booster for those particularly at risk for chronic COVID or have previously experienced it. Backing this up, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued specific recommendations for the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines.
Apart from children under 5 and seniors above 65, the CDC advises people with high risks of experiencing serious disease to get the pneumococcal vaccine. Meanwhile, everyone six months and above is urged to get inoculated against influenza and COVID-19. For RSV, adults above 75 and those between the ages of 60 and 74 with certain chronic health conditions, such as lung or heart disease, are strongly advised to get vaccinated. This also includes individuals living in nursing homes due to their increased risk. Furthermore, pregnant women are urged to get vaccinated during the 32nd to 36th weeks of their pregnancy for additional protection.