Philadelphia, PA – As the winter approaches, health experts in the United States are emphasizing the importance of getting vaccinated against various illnesses to protect oneself and others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that vaccination rates for COVID, flu, RSV, and pneumonia shots are concerningly low, especially among adults.
According to the CDC, only 37% of adults aged 18 and over have received the seasonal flu shot, and just 19% have been vaccinated against COVID. The numbers are even lower for children, with only 33% vaccinated against the flu and less than 9% vaccinated for coronavirus. Among adults 75 and older, just over 40% have received the RSV vaccine, while only 41% of eligible infants have received the antibody treatment for RSV.
Misinformation and lack of trust in science have been cited as significant factors contributing to the reluctance to get vaccinated. A survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center revealed a decline in the belief that the COVID vaccine is safe, with 22% of respondents now considering it safer to get COVID than to be vaccinated.
Tara Kirk Sell of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security mentioned a loss of trust in science throughout the pandemic, while Andrew Stanley Pekosz of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health highlighted the confusion that many individuals face when trying to navigate vaccine information.
With peak infection periods for these illnesses typically occurring from December to February, health agencies are urging Americans to prioritize getting vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities. The persistent hesitancy to get vaccinated poses a significant threat to public health as the winter season approaches.