Over the last week, two new reports were published on COVID-19 and influenza vaccination trends and comparisons for the 2024-2025 season. Of note from a PEW Report is the finding that more than half of all US adults (53%) have not gotten a flu or COVID vaccine with only 22% stating that they’ve gotten both vaccines. This is despite CDC recommendations to get both.
While the specific percentages vary, both the PEW Report and a CDC Vaccination Trends update note that more adults are getting the flu vaccine (42% and 44%, respectively) than are getting the COVID vaccine (27% and 23% respectively).
The CDC also provides estimates on vaccination intent. As such, of those who have not gotten vaccinated, 32% report they will probably or definitely not get the flu vaccine and 43% will probably or definitely not be vaccinated against COVID.
In providing demographic comparison, the PEW Report shows that the highest uptake in both vaccines is among adults 65 and older, and Democrats being more likely to be vaccinated for flu and/or COVID than are Republicans. Additionally, studies by Bowling Green State University researchers found that parents who have at least one child who completed college are more likely to be vaccinated than those with no child having completed college.
To achieve population (or “herd”) immunity against a disease, a high percentage of the population needs to be vaccinated, with the remaining people protected by the fact that the disease will not spread among those who are vaccinated. That percentage varies by disease, based on the disease’s R0 Factor previously discussed and the efficacy of the vaccine. In general, population immunity requires that 75%-85% of the population be vaccinated.
Both COVID and flu become more complicated due to constant mutation of the viruses, with some experts doubting that population immunity is even realistic for these, stating that the goal, then, must be to control and limit the spread through standard preventive actions: avoiding close contact with those who are ill; keeping hands from eyes, nose, and mouth; staying home when ill; and getting vaccinated to protect yourself and those with whom you come in contact.
COVID Risk Matrix:
Influenza:
Infectious Disease News:
- In Australia, although influenza deaths in 2024 were higher than predicted, COVID-19 deaths were 5x higher than those from the flu. There are challenges in predicting the mortality impact of COVID-19.
- Although it’s recommended by the CDC to get the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, more US adults report getting their flu shot. It is estimated that 42% of adults got the flu vaccine versus just 27% getting the COVID-19 shot. 53% got neither shot.
- African scientists set genomics ‘world speed record’ in confirming the recent Sudan Ebola outbreak in Uganda that allowed them to link it to a previous outbreak in Uganda 13 years ago. It was not a continuation of the recent 2022 outbreak.
- Saudi Arabia is requiring that all persons who want to perform the Haj rituals this year (approximately June 4-9, 2025) have a meningitis vaccine. Further, they recommend that people get flu and COVID-19 vaccines as well. Close to 2 million people may attend.
- A recently published study coauthored by the U. Texas at Austin, UNC Chapel Hill, and NIH focused on individuals who had received an experimental oral norovirus vaccine. Results showed that a set of powerful antibodies capable of neutralizing a wide variety of norovirus strains were expressed. This advance may lead to the development of an effective universal vaccine, as well as new antibody-based treatments for norovirus infections. Plans for expanded testing are underway.
- A recent review of TB incidence in migrants to Europe can help in developing appropriate screening procedures as well as efforts aimed at prevention, diagnosis, and care.
- Bird flu has been detected in sheep for the first time in the world, UK experts have announced, although they stress the risk to livestock and the general public is low.
