Washington Post Federal health officials are urging Americans to get vaccinated ahead of the respiratory virus season as new survey data shows tepid interest in getting shots.
Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the agency anticipates 800,000 flu, covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations in the coming months, on par with last year.
But results released Wednesday from an annual National Foundation for Infectious Diseases survey reveals that relatively few U.S. adults are concerned about respiratory viruses (less than 1 in 5) or interested in getting shots. The survey was conducted in early August.
- 55 percent definitely or probably will get a flu shot, 34 percent definitely or probably will not.
- 40 percent definitely or probably will get the updated coronavirus vaccine, while 45 percent definitely or probably will not.
- 38 percent of eligible older adults definitely or probably will get an RSV vaccine, while 25 percent definitely or probably will not.