For people living with chronic illness or who are immunocompromised, vaccines are not just a tool for prevention — they are essential to maintaining health and avoiding serious complications. But even with clear evidence of the benefits, navigating the conversation and feelings around getting vaccinated can feel complex.
In our latest poll, the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s Patient Support Program set out to understand how our community feels about vaccines this season, what influences their decisions to get vaccinated, and what barriers they may face.
Here are key learnings and insights from the poll, of which 94 percent were U.S. residents.
Most have received their vaccines for this fall respiratory virus season:
- 76 percent got the flu vaccine
- 66 percent got the COVID vaccine
- 26 percent got the RSV vaccine
Some selected that they plan to get vaccinated (5 percent), some have not yet because of timing with their medication schedule (2 percent). Only 11 percent said they do not plan to get vaccinated this fall.
Majority Feel Positive About Vaccines
The majority of respondents (85 percent) feel positive about vaccines, but there’s a difference between supporting all or some vaccines.
- 50 percent feel good about all vaccines
- 35 percent feel positive with most vaccines
- 10 percent remain on the fence, feeling neutral, or positive or negative about a few vaccines
- 4 percent feel negative about most or all vaccines
For those who trust vaccines, these were the top reasons for feeling positive in the free response section of the poll:
- Protection from illness: “Because they protect the community, including those who can’t get vaccinated or for whom illness could be life threatening,I believe it’s my civic duty to stay up to date on vaccines.”
- Proven success: “Most vaccines have reduced or eliminated serious diseases. It’s imperative that we all subscribe to advancing the health of our communities, nationally and globally.”
- Science-backed: “Vaccines are safe and have been shown to work in the vast majority of people. Herd immunity covers the rest.”
- Vaccines save lives: “They save lives, and a lot of research went into creating them by highly respectable, knowledgeable people.”
Negative Feelings Over Bad Reactions, Distrust, and Testing
For those who feel less confident, hesitation comes from personal health experiences or skepticism toward the industry as a whole. While these concerns might not be the majority in the chronic illness community, they’re still real and need to be part of the conversation.
Some of the most common reasons for hesitancy include:
- Bad reactions to previous vaccines: “I have developed heart issues, persistent atrial fibrillation, and breathing problems since having Covid jabs.”
- Distrust of industry: “I don’t trust the government or the pharmaceutical companies.”
- Concerns over testing: “I feel that many vaccines are rushed to come out without proper testing for everyone. Because I have a compromised immune system and take many medications, I don’t believe others like me have been included in the research of the vaccine. I usually wait at least six to eight months after a new vaccine comes out to get it to see what happens in the public.”
Myths and misconceptions about vaccines also lead to negative feelings and cause confusion. Click here to learn the truth about common vaccine myths.
Trust in Doctor for Vaccine Information, Not Social Media
When it comes to vaccine-related information, most people (89 percent) still turn to health care professionals. Government health agencies are also a go-to trusted source for many (62 percent), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the Food and Drug Administration.
Only 10 percent of people rely on news outlets, and just two percent trust what they see on social platforms. This underscores the need for evidence-based information on social media channels to combat the misinformation and lack of trust.
Many Concerned for Vaccine Access in the Future
With the election results in and a new administration preparing to take office, we also wanted to understand how our community feels about their access to vaccines. More than half (54 percent) of respondents shared concerns about their ability to access vaccines in the future.
Access to vaccines is just as important as confidence in them. If people can’t get vaccinated, or face barriers to doing so, that puts lives at risk. Learn more about policies that improve access to vaccines.
The bottom line: Vaccines are our best defense against preventable diseases. The majority of people with chronic illness understand that vaccines save lives. However, we can’t ignore the fact that vaccine hesitancy exists, and for many people, it’s based on real concerns. To build trust in vaccines, we need open and honest conversations that address these fears without judgment.
About the Patient Support Program Quick Poll
Members of our program have underlying health issues – such as inflammatory arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and more — that may increase their risk for COVID-19 complications. They are interested in understanding the best ways to stay safe during the pandemic and to be part of a community of people with similar concerns, questions, and fears.
We regularly poll members, who live in the U.S. as well as around the globe, about a variety of topics, including how the pandemic is affecting their lifestyle, mental health, chronic disease management, medication adherence, and more.
We use this information to inform the educational resources we provide and to inform other stakeholders — such as public health experts, policymakers, advocacy groups, health care professionals, and pharmaceutical companies — about chronic illness patients’ needs and concerns. You can participate in ongoing poll by joining the support program here.
Informed Immunity
Informed Immunity is a podcast series dedicated to providing clear, evidence-based information on vaccines and public health. Our episodes cover important topics like vaccine equity, debunking myths, and the latest advancements in research. Listen now to empower yourself with the knowledge you need to make informed health decisions.
