A new, nationwide survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shows some hesitancy around vaccines for fall 2024.
The poll, which surveyed a little over 1,000 adults in the United States, found that:
- 37% have gotten vaccines in the past, but they don’t plan to this year
- 37% said they don’t need the flu, COVID-19, RSV or pneumococcal vaccines
- 56% said they’ve gotten or plan to get a flu shot this fall
- 43% said they’ve gotten or plan to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine
The survey also found that adults 65 and older were the group most likely to get vaccines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Nora Colburn, MD, medical director of Clinical Epidemiology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, encouraged getting the CDC’s recommended vaccines if you’re eligible.
“We’re at the start of respiratory virus seasons, when you have the triple threat of flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about vaccinations, but the reality is that they are safe and highly effective in preventing serious illness and death.”
Dr. Colburn noted that those most at risk of severe illness during respiratory virus season are:
- Older adults
- People with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who are pregnant
Which vaccines are recommended, and for whom
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive an influenza vaccine every year, with very few exceptions.
The latest COVID-19 vaccine is also recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can lead to serious and even death in young children, older adults, people with suppressed immune systems and people with chronic health conditions, such as lung or heart diseases.
The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for:
- Anyone 75 and older
- People ages 60-74 who are at increased risk for severe disease
- Pregnant people during weeks 32-36, from September to January (peak RSV season)
The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for everyone younger than 5 and older than 64. It’s also recommended for anyone at increased risk of severe disease.
How was this vaccine survey conducted?
SSRS conducted this poll on behalf of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center on its national Opinion Panel Omnibus platform, a twice-monthly, probability-based survey. Data was collected between August 16 and August 18, 2024, from 1,006 respondent, online and via phone, and in English.
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