A new national survey conducted by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) reveals that while 77% of American adults support vaccines, only 48% reported getting vaccinated for at least one of four major respiratory diseases—flu, RSV, pneumococcal disease, or COVID-19—in the past year. The findings point to widespread uncertainty about which vaccines are needed and how often to get them.
The survey results, released during NFID's 2026 annual respiratory season kick-off, highlight a stark gap between positive attitudes and actual vaccination behavior. This gap means many Americans miss out on the protective benefits of vaccines, including reduced risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Dr. Robert Hopkins, Jr., NFID Medical Director, spoke during the release of the findings, lamenting the lost opportunity to protect families and loved ones.
Trust in healthcare professionals remains high, with about 60% of respondents expressing trust in their providers. This presents a clear opportunity for the medical community to offer consistent, clear guidance on which vaccines are needed and when. Additionally, 22% of participants reported encountering barriers to getting vaccinated, such as vaccine shortages or long wait times at clinics. Addressing these access issues could significantly improve uptake and yield measurable public health benefits, including reducing the economic burden of infectious diseases.
As efforts to increase vaccination rates continue, parallel work by companies like Co-Diagnostics Inc. (NASDAQ: CODX) to develop accessible, affordable testing kits for home and non-hospital settings could help diagnose respiratory infections early and prevent severe outcomes. The convergence of improved vaccination and testing strategies may be key to mitigating the impact of respiratory disease seasons.
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