Approximately half of Americans are expected to forgo COVID-19 and flu vaccinations this year due to vaccine fatigue.

A survey revealed that an increasing number of U.S. adults are reluctant to receive recommended vaccines this fall.

A poll of 1,006 individuals revealed that just 43% of respondents have received or intend to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

This fall, only a slight majority of adults (56%) plan to or have already received the flu shot.

This season, 37% of those who have received vaccines in previous years plan to forgo the shots.

One-third of survey respondents stated that they do not believe they require the vaccines, including flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal pneumonia.

The least likely age group to get recommended immunizations are adults aged 65 and older, while the most likely group is younger individuals with vaccine hesitancy.

In August 2024, a nationwide survey was conducted by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

The FDA recently approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer for the 2024-2025 season, just weeks after the approval.

The respiratory virus season is upon us, posing a triple threat from flu, COVID-19, and RSV, according to Nora Colburn, MD, medical director of clinical epidemiology at Ohio State's Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, in a press release.

Despite the widespread misconceptions about vaccinations, the truth is that they are secure and highly efficient in safeguarding severe ailments and fatalities.

"Those who are pregnant, have chronic medical conditions, or are older adults are particularly vulnerable during respiratory virus season."

‘Vaccine fatigue’

Centivax CEO Dr. Jacob Glanville responded to the poll's results.

According to him, it's not surprising that 37% of people said they had been vaccinated in the past but weren't planning to this year, as he shared with Planet Chronicle Digital.

"A vaccine mandate was implemented a few years ago, and since childhood vaccines are widely administered, the 37% who wouldn't normally receive a vaccine are included in this group."

Glanville stated that the flu shot's reported rate of 56% is slightly above average, which typically hovers around 50%.

He remarked that vaccination rates for coronavirus are slightly lower compared to the flu.

According to Glanville, there is a lack of clarity among the public regarding how COVID-19 should be treated after the pandemic.

He added that fatigue is also a symptom of COVID-19 vaccines not being effective at preventing symptoms, which leads people to believe that they are not effective, although they do protect against severe illness.

‘Concerning’ trend

The poll's findings are concerning, according to Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Planet Chronicle and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center.

"A yearly booster is recommended for high-risk groups since both vaccines lose effectiveness after six months," he said on Planet Chronicle Digital.

"I recommend a yearly booster for the elderly, immunocompromised and those with chronic illness."

According to Siegel, this year's flu season is predicted to be "moderate," with approximately 25,000 deaths and 400,000 hospitalizations, similar to last year's.

He stated that the flu shot significantly reduces the severity and number of hospitalizations by approximately a quarter and contributes to community immunity.

The western U.S. still has high COVID-19 activity, according to Siegel.

The doctor cautioned about a new variant spreading in Europe, which he predicts will soon reach the U.S., called the XEC subvariant.

He informed Planet Chronicle Digital that it appears to be more contagious, resulting in congestion, cough, loss of smell and appetite, sore throat, and body aches.

"The new vaccine should provide at least some coverage."

Dr. Paul Offit, head of the Vaccine Education Center and a physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, informed Siegel that young children are being hospitalized more frequently - possibly due to not being vaccinated with the primary series.

Siegel advised that the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, those with chronic illness, people at risk for long COVID, and those who have had it previously should receive a yearly booster.

The CDC’s vaccine recommendations

The CDC has issued vaccine recommendations.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and above.

The latest COVID-19 vaccine is advised for individuals aged 6 months and above.

The RSV vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 75 and older, as well as those aged 60 to 74 with chronic medical conditions, such as lung or heart disease, those living in nursing homes, and pregnant women during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy, as they are at a higher risk of severe disease.

The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for individuals under the age of 5 and those over 65, as well as those with a higher risk of severe illness.

For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the OSU research team for comment.