'White Coats' Most Trusted Source for Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccine Information

The September KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor recently asked the public about their intention to get an influenza vaccine, new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines, and the updated COVID-19 vaccine during the 2023-2024 respiratory season.

A “tripledemic” scenario in which all three viruses peak together could impact millions of people simultaneously.

According to the KFF poll announced on September 27, 2023, most adults (58%), including three-quarters of adults 65 and older, say they will get a flu shot this year.

And about half of adults say they either will “definitely get” (23%) or “probably get” (23%) the new vaccine for COVID-19 that was approved on September 12.

In addition, 58% of adults 60 and older say they will either “definitely get” or “probably get” the new RSV vaccine recommended for their age group.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended that most people get vaccinated this year.

From a trust perspective, this poll offered good news for healthcare providers.

Healthcare providers were ranked as the most trusted sources of information about vaccines again, as most adults (68%) say they usually keep up-to-date with the vaccines their provider recommends.

Unfortunately, government sources of vaccine information like the CDC, local public health departments, and the U.S. FDA fare much lower.

The complete KFF poll results are linked here.

This article's headline was updated on Sept. 28, 2023.