Despite continued recommendations for COVID-19 and influenza vaccines and the addition of pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus vaccine for certain cohorts, pharmacists are highly unlikely to be swamped this year, a new survey suggested.
The new nationwide survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shone a light on hesitancy around vaccines this fall. The national poll involving more than 1,000 U.S. adults found that more than one-third (37%) have gotten vaccines in the past but say they do not plan to this year.
According to the survey, the same percentage of respondents insist that they do not need any of the vaccines surveyed in the poll, including flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The survey also found that:
• A slight majority (56%) of adults have gotten or plan to get the flu shot this fall
• Less than half (43%) have gotten or plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine
• Adults aged 65 years and older are the most likely to get recommended vaccines.
“We’re at the start of respiratory virus season 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,” explained Nora Colburn, MD, medical director of clinical epidemiology at Ohio State’s Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital in a press release. “Older adults, people with certain chronic medical conditions and those who are pregnant are especially at risk during respiratory virus season.”
That situation exists even though the CDC recommends annual flu vaccination is recommended for individuals aged 6 months and older; the updated COVID-19 shot for individuals aged 6 months and older; the RSV vaccination for everyone aged 75 years and older, as well as adults aged 60 to 74 years who are at increased risk of severe disease and pregnant women during 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation from September to January, and the latest pneumococcal vaccine for individuals aged younger than 5 years and 65 years and older. Additionally, that vaccination is recommended for children and adults at increased risk of severe disease.
This survey was conducted on behalf of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is a national, twice-per-month, probability-based survey. Data collection was conducted from August 16, 2024, to August 18, 2024, among a sample of 1,006 respondents. The survey was conducted via web (n = 975) and telephone (n = 31) and administered in English.
The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.
