Most Adults Support Vaccines, But Many Don’t Know Which Respiratory Shots They Need 

While most Americans express confidence in vaccines and believe they should be broadly accessible, fewer than half reported trying to get a respiratory vaccine in the past year. This highlights a significant gap between positive attitudes toward vaccination and efforts to obtain recommended respiratory vaccines.

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) recently conducted the 2026 National Survey on Respiratory Diseases, which examined adult attitudes, knowledge, access, and vaccination behaviors related to Influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease. The results offer important insights for clinicians seeking to improve vaccine uptake and patient engagement. 

Most Americans Support Vaccination, Yet Recommendation Confusion Persists 

The survey found that 77 percent of adults believe that vaccines are among the best ways to prevent serious infectious disease, while 71 percent say benefits outweigh risks. But despite these seemingly favorable attitudes, many adults remain uncertain about whether respiratory vaccines are recommended for them. 

Here are some other standout findings: 

• Nearly 3 in 10 adults either believe flu vaccination is not recommended for them or are unsure. 
• Almost half are unsure whether they need an updated COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Confusion is even greater around RSV and pneumococcal vaccines because eligibility depends on age, risk factors, and other individual considerations. 

These responses suggest that broad public health messaging may be insufficient to encourage use of preventive care services. Patients may need more individualized guidance to understand which vaccines are recommended for them based on age, health status, and risk factors. 

From our partner

Expert Videos: Learn how early UACR testing can help reveal hidden CKD and related cardiovascular risk, even when eGFR appears normal.

Knowledge Gaps About Disease Burden May Be Contributing to Hesitancy 

The survey responses also revealed the public’s understanding of respiratory disease risk: 

• Only 11 percent of respondents correctly estimated the number of influenza-related hospitalizations during the 2024-2025 season. 
• Most respondents significantly underestimated influenza’s impact. 
• Fewer than half correctly identified RSV as the leading cause of infant hospitalization among the listed choices. 

When patients underestimate disease burden, their sense of urgency around vaccination can drop significantly. For clinicians, it reinforces the value of sharing current data and real-world consequences of respiratory illness during patient encounters.  

Healthcare Providers Remain the Most Trusted Source of Vaccine Information 

The NFID survey’s most significant findings show that healthcare providers remain the strongest and most trusted source of vaccine guidance. 

• Fifty-five percent of adults said they would reach out to a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse first for accurate information about respiratory vaccines. 
• Respondents trusted healthcare providers more than the CDC (46 percent) and state and local health agencies (46 percent). 

These findings reinforce the outsized influence clinicians have on vaccine decision-making. A clear recommendation from a trusted healthcare provider may help bridge knowledge gaps and improve vaccine uptake. Primary care providers, specialists, pharmacists, and nurses all play a significant role in helping patients navigate increasingly complex respiratory vaccine recommendations. 

From our partner

Vitiligo doesn’t have to keep you down - Find out how the FPAD clinical trial may help!

Access Challenges Continue to Create Missed Opportunities 

Even when patients actively sought out respiratory vaccines, many reported barriers that complicated or delayed access. 

• Only 48 percent of adults reported attempting to get at least one respiratory vaccine in the past 12 months. 
• Pharmacies and physician offices were the primary vaccination destinations. 
• Roughly 1 in 5 adults who sought a respiratory vaccine encountered a problem. 

Some of the reported barriers include: 

• Vaccines being unavailable or out of stock 
• Being told to return later 
• Being sent between pharmacies and physician offices 

While these obstacles may appear minor, they can discourage patients from completing vaccination, increasing their risk of illness. The survey findings underscore the importance of coordinated care between provider offices and community pharmacies. 

What This Means for Clinicians 

The NFID survey suggests that vaccine hesitancy is not always driven by opposition to vaccination. In many cases, uncertainty about eligibility, limited knowledge of disease burden, and logistical challenges may be preventing patients from acting on generally favorable views toward vaccines. This creates an important opportunity for clinicians to provide tailored recommendations and help patients navigate access issues before respiratory virus season. 

Key Takeaways 

• Most adults support vaccines, but many are unsure which respiratory vaccines apply to them. 
• Clinicians remain the most trusted source of vaccine information. 
• Public understanding of respiratory disease burden remains limited. 
• Access barriers continue to derail some vaccination attempts. 
• Personalized, point-of-care vaccine discussions may be one of the most effective strategies for improving uptake. 

Are you a healthcare professional? Register with us today!