By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 25, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Most Americans don\u00e2\u0080\u0099t plan to get vaccinated against the flu<\/a> or COVID-19 this season, a new survey has found.<\/p>\n Fewer than two in five U.S. adults (38%) say they will definitely get a flu jab, and only one in four (26%) say they\u00e2\u0080\u0099ll get the updated COVID vaccine, according to a survey<\/a> released Wednesday by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.<\/p>\n This lack of interest extends to those eligible for an RSV vaccine (21%) and pneumococcal vaccine (24%), the survey found.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u0080\u009cLast flu season, an estimated 25,000 people in the U.S. died from flu or related complications and 75,000 from COVID-19 in 2023, demonstrating how dangerous these diseases can be,\u00e2\u0080\u009d U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Mandy Cohen<\/a> said in a news release.<\/p>\n This appears to be driven by a lack of concern. Few U.S. adults are worried about themselves or a family member becoming infected with flu (17%), COVID-19 (20%), RSV (16%) or pneumococcal disease (17%).<\/p>\n Cohen and other leading health experts got vaccinated at an onsite flu vaccine clinic following a press conference announcing the results of the NFID survey.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u0080\u009cWe can protect ourselves and those we care about by getting updated vaccines to reduce the risk of serious illness from flu and COVID-19 and do more of the things we enjoy,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Cohen said. \u00e2\u0080\u009cI encourage everyone 6 months and older to get an annual flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks.\u00e2\u0080\u009d<\/p>\n Interest in vaccination is even lower this season than last, in which less than half (45%) of adults got a flu vaccine, according to CDC data.<\/p>\n Worse, only 46% of adults with a chronic health condition got the flu vaccine last season, the CDC said.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u0080\u009cThe low vaccination rates among those with chronic health conditions are of particular concern because they are more likely to develop serious and even life-threatening complications from respiratory infections,\u00e2\u0080\u009d said Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr.<\/a>, medical director of the NFID.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, it appears to take catching the flu to make one want the flu vaccine.<\/p>\n Among U.S. adults who were diagnosed with the flu in the last two years, nearly 72% say they will likely get the flu jab, NFID survey results show.<\/p>\n The 2023-2024 flu season in the United States was moderately severe, with an estimated 41 million illnesses, 490,000 hospitalizations and 25,000 flu-related deaths, according to new CDC data.<\/p>\n Many people who don\u00e2\u0080\u0099t plan to get vaccinated say they\u00e2\u0080\u0099re worried about potential side effects or have a general distrust of vaccines, the NFID survey found.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u0080\u009cWe must build trust by enhancing our support for people in using science and evidence to make personally appropriate decisions regarding vaccines and other health choices,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Dr. Reed Tuckson<\/a>, cofounder of the Black Coalition Against COVID, said in an NFID news release.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u0080\u009cThe pandemic taught us that it is possible to close some of the gaps in immunization rates among communities of color, but we still have a long way to go,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Tuckson added. \u00e2\u0080\u009cIn addition to evidence-based messaging, we know that guidance from familiar, trusted health care professionals working with minority communities is essential to building vaccine confidence.\u00e2\u0080\u009d<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n Kaiser Permanente has more about seasonal vaccines<\/a>.<\/p>\n SOURCE: National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, news release, Sept. 25, 2024<\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n