Nationwide survey reveals hesitancy about vaccines this fall, with 37% of respondents believing they do not want vaccination

With flu season simply across the nook and COVID-19 circumstances on the rise, a brand new nationwide survey from The Ohio State College Wexner Medical Middle reveals hesitancy round vaccines this fall. The brand new information comes simply as this 12 months’s flu shot rolls out and following the FDA’s approval of an up to date spherical of COVID-19 vaccines.

The nationwide ballot of 1,006 folks discovered greater than one-third (37%) have gotten vaccines previously however don’t plan to this 12 months. The identical % of respondents stated they do not want any of the vaccines surveyed within the ballot, together with flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Different survey outcomes discovered:

• A slight majority (56%) of adults have gotten or plan to get the flu shot this fall.
• Lower than half (43%) have gotten or plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Adults age 65 and older are the more than likely to get really useful vaccines.

“We’re at first of respiratory virus season when you have got the triple menace of flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Sadly, there may be plenty of misinformation about vaccinations, however the actuality is that they’re secure and extremely efficient in stopping critical sickness and loss of life. Older adults, folks with sure power medical circumstances and people who are pregnant are particularly in danger throughout respiratory virus season,” stated Nora Colburn, MD, medical director of scientific epidemiology at Ohio State’s Richard M. Ross Coronary heart Hospital.

CDC’s really useful vaccines

• Flu: Annual vaccination is really useful for everybody aged 6 months and older.
• COVID-19: Up to date vaccination is really useful for everybody aged 6 months and older.
• RSV: Everybody aged 75 and older, adults aged 60-74 who’re at elevated threat of extreme illness, and pregnant folks throughout weeks 32-36 from September to January.
• Pneumococcal: Everybody youthful than 5 years and aged 65 and older. Moreover, vaccination is really useful for kids and adults at elevated threat of extreme illness.

“Vaccinations play a essential function in serving to to maintain people and communities wholesome. Different issues you are able to do are to remain house when sick, keep away from those that are sick and put on a masks for those who’re not feeling properly and going out of your house. All of these items might help forestall you from getting sick and spreading it to others,” Colburn stated.

Survey methodology

This survey was carried out on behalf of The Ohio State College Wexner Medical Middle by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is a nationwide, twice-per-month, probability-based survey. Knowledge assortment was carried out from August 16–August 18, 2024, amongst a pattern of 1,006 respondents.

The survey was carried out through net (n=975) and phone (n=31) and administered in English. The margin of error for complete respondents is +/-3.8 proportion factors on the 95% confidence stage. All SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus information are weighted to symbolize the goal inhabitants of U.S. adults ages 18 or older.