Flu, COVID-19, RSV Vaccine Uptake Low Among US Adults in 2024-2025 Season

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COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination coverage is low among US adults so far this respiratory virus season, according to data published recently in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

As of November 9, 2024, an estimated 34.7% of adults aged 18 years and older reported having received an influenza vaccine, and 17.9% had received an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-25 respiratory virus season. For RSV, coverage was 39.7% among adults aged 75 years and older and 31.6% among those aged 60 to 74 years at increased risk for severe RSV disease.

The US CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. The ACIP also recommends a single lifetime dose of RSV vaccine for adults aged 75 years and older and for those aged 60 to 74 years who are at increased risk for severe RSV.

A survey released in September conducted by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center suggested it could be a tough year for vaccine uptake. The national poll of 1006 people aged 18 years and older found more than one-third (37%) of respondents said they don’t need any of the vaccines surveyed in the poll, including influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.

“Health care providers and immunization programs still have time to expand outreach and promote vaccination activities to increase coverage in preparation for the height of the respiratory virus season,” investigators from the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases wrote.

The study team analyzed data from the National Immunization Survey-Adult COVID Module, a random-digit-dialed cell phone survey of adults, which included responses to vaccine-related questions from 137 000 people on influenza, 112 000 people on COVID-19, and 88 000 people on RSV, collected between September 7, 2024, and November 9, 2024. Estimates of vaccination intent were based on interviews conducted each respective week, according to the study.

“Although early season estimates indicate that many adults are unprotected from respiratory virus infections, many appeared open to vaccination,” the authors noted. Overall, approximately 35% of adults aged 18 years and older said they were open to receiving the influenza vaccine, and about 41% were open to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, around 40% of adults aged 75 years and older indicated they would definitely or probably receive the RSV vaccine.

In addition, vaccination coverage for the current season (ie, week ending November 9, 2024) showed some improvements compared to the corresponding period in 2023-2024. Influenza vaccine coverage was 0.9 percentage points higher among adults aged 18 years and older (34.7% vs 33.8%) and 3.7 percentage points higher among adults aged 65 years and older (58.6% vs 54.9%). Similarly, COVID-19 vaccine uptake was 4.7 percentage points higher this season (17.9%) than last year (13.2%) among adults aged 18 years and older and 13.7 percentage points higher (38.5% vs 24.8%) in those aged 65 and older.

RSV vaccine coverage rose from the end of June 2024, when ACIP first recommended that older adults receive a single-dose RSV vaccine, to the week ending November 9. Among adults aged 75 years and older, uptake increased 9.6 percentage points (from 30.1% to 39.7%) and among those aged 60 to 74 years, coverage increased 8.7 percentage points (from 22.9% to 31.6%).

Investigators also reported that vaccination coverage varied by jurisdiction and demographic characteristics and was lowest among younger adults and those without health insurance.

“Making vaccinations available in provider offices, pharmacies, workplaces, and other convenient locations at convenient times, along with a strong provider recommendation for vaccination, could increase vaccination coverage,” authors stated.

Reference: Kriss JL, Black CL, Razzaghi H, et al. Influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccination coverage among adults — United States, Fall 2024. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2024;73(46):1044-1051