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Most U.S. adults say they support vaccines — but that belief isn't translating into action. A new NFID survey found that only 48% of adults tried to get at least one recommended respiratory vaccine last year, largely because they're unsure which shots apply to them. To bridge the gap, NFID has launched a new national initiative to deliver clearer, more consistent vaccine guidance.
Most U.S. adults are pro-vaccine in theory — but when it comes to actually rolling up their sleeves, confusion is getting in the way. A new national survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) found that while 77% of adults believe vaccines are the best protection against serious infectious diseases, only 48% tried to get vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, RSV, or pneumococcal disease last year.
The culprit? A widespread lack of clarity about who should get which vaccine. Nearly half of respondents didn't know whether the COVID-19 vaccine was recommended for them, and 28% said the same about the flu shot — even though flu vaccination is broadly recommended for nearly all adults. This knowledge gap is playing out against a backdrop of serious disease burden: the 2024–2025 flu season was one of the worst in 20 years, with an estimated 51 million illnesses and 45,000 deaths.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Vaccine support without vaccine uptake leaves millions vulnerable to preventable illness. NFID's new National Respiratory Communications Initiative (NRCI) aims to close this gap by uniting public health, infectious disease, and patient advocacy groups to deliver consistent, accessible guidance — because knowing vaccines work isn't enough if people don't know the shots are meant for them.
