Following a summer wave of COVID-19 cases and a record number of influenza (flu) deaths among US children during the 2023-2024 respiratory season, a new survey released by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), revealed that few US adults intend to get vaccinated this fall and winter. Reasons cited included concerns about vaccine side effects and a general distrust of vaccines.
At the 2024 NFID Annual News Conference, experts from NFID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized the importance of vaccination, and strongly recommended that everyone age 6 months and older, including pregnant women, receive an annual flu vaccine and an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. These vaccines are essential in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Panelists also urged those at higher risk, including older adults and people with chronic health conditions, to talk with a healthcare professional about vaccines to help protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumococcal disease. CDC experts highlighted disease burden data and prior vaccination coverage rates for COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
Vaccines save lives, and we all play an important role in helping protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities from preventable infectious diseases.
–NFID Medical Director Robert H. Hopkins Jr., MD
Following the news conference, panelists and NFID partners got vaccinated against flu as part of the NFID Leading By Example initiative to raise awareness about the importance of disease prevention through vaccination.
The news conference was streamed live by AP News. Other top-tier media coverage included:
- Health Officials Express Concern about Low Vaccination Rates as Respiratory Virus Season Begins (AAP News)
- US Adults Aren’t Worried about Respiratory Diseases like Flu and COVID-19, According to New Research (CBS News)
- Most US Adults Won’t Get Vaccinated as Flu, COVID-19 Season Looms: Survey (HealthDay)
- Addressing Vaccine Misconceptions Essential to Increasing Vaccination Rates During Respiratory Virus Season (McKnight’s Senior Living)
- Fewer People Plan to Get Vaccinated. Misinformation is to Blame (NJ.com)
- CDC Urges COVID-19, Flu Vaccines, But Public Interest is Flagging (The Washington Post)
- COVID-19 Cases are on a Downward Trend. How Long Will This Last? (USA Today)
NFID has compiled a collection of partner resources to help build awareness about flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and RSV:
American Lung Association: Get the Facts about Pneumococcal Pneumonia
The Get the Facts about Pneumococcal Pneumonia campaign aims to raise awareness about a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt a person’s life for weeks and even lead to hospitalization. The campaign provides information about causes and transmission, symptoms, and prevention. Resources include fast facts, videos, and an online risk-assessment tool.
CDC: Wild to Mild
Even when flu vaccination does not prevent infection entirely, it can help keep symptoms mild and prevent serious complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wild to Mild campaign features graphics to encourage social media followers to get themselves and their families an annual flu vaccine.
CDC: Vaccines for Pregnancy
The CDC From Me, To You communications effort invites pregnant women, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals into a conversation about how getting recommended vaccinations during pregnancy helps share protection with their babies. The page provides resources about vaccines recommended before, during, and after pregnancy. The page also addresses how to locate and keep track of vaccination records and provides information on vaccine safety for moms to be.
Good Health WINs: Respiratory Resource Guide
Good Health WINs: Respiratory Resource GuideThe Good Health WINs Respiratory Resource Guide flip book provides a comprehensive overview of resources about vaccines for COVID-19, flu, and RSV for use by trusted messengers, including vaccine locators, patient assistance programs, and free COVID-19 testing and treatment resources.
HHS: Risk Less. Do More
HHS: Risk Less. Do MoreThe US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Risk Less Do More campaign aims to increase awareness of, confidence in, and uptake of vaccines that reduce severe illness from COVID-19, flu, and RSV in at-risk populations, including older adults and persons living in long-term care facilities. Resources include ads, graphics, fact sheets, commonly asked questions and answers about vaccines, and posters outlining key reasons to get vaccinated.
Additional Resources
Know of other valuable tools and resources focused on raising awareness about the importance of respiratory disease prevention? Tag NFID to share additional tools to help spread awareness (not disease) …
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