A new national survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) shows that 77% of American adults hold positive views about vaccines, yet there is widespread uncertainty about which vaccines they need. The annual survey, released as part of the 2026 NFID Annual Respiratory Season Kick-Off, focused on vaccines for flu, RSV, pneumococcal disease, and COVID-19.
The results reveal a striking disconnect: despite high support for vaccination, only 48% of respondents reported getting vaccinated for at least one of those four diseases in the past year. This low uptake means many miss out on protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Speaking during the release of the findings, NFID Medical Director Robert Hopkins, Jr. emphasized the lost opportunity to protect families and loved ones when fewer people get vaccinated regularly. The survey suggests that clear, consistent guidance from trusted healthcare professionals could close the gap: about 60% of respondents said they trust or have a lot of trust in healthcare professionals on health matters.
Accessibility also remains a barrier. 22% of participants reported encountering challenges when seeking respiratory vaccines, such as not finding the vaccine they needed or facing long waits at medical facilities. Addressing these issues could boost uptake and deliver measurable public health benefits, including reduced economic toll from infectious diseases.
As efforts to increase vaccination 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 diseases early and prevent progression to life-threatening levels. Such innovations complement vaccination by enabling timely intervention.
The survey’s findings underscore the need for policymakers and healthcare providers to deliver uniform, clear vaccine recommendations. When people know exactly which vaccines they need and when, and when access barriers are removed, vaccine uptake is likely to rise, translating into fewer illnesses and lower healthcare costs.
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With respiratory virus season underway, the NFID survey highlights an urgent opportunity: bridging the gap between positive attitudes and actual vaccination could save lives and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
