Flu Shot More Popular Than COVID-19 Vaccine Among Older Adults

The University of Michigan (U of M) National Poll on Healthy Aging reports that older adults are less likely to get vaccinated for COVID-19 than for the flu, according to HealthDay News . The researchers polled 1,556 randomly selected older adults 50 to 80 years old, and 63 percent indicated they received a flu shot during the last flu season, with 70 percent already having received one since August 2020 or planning to get one this flu season. Meanwhile, 58 percent of older adults said they would be likely to get a potential free COVID-19 vaccine, while 28 percent said they were unlikely to do so. COVID-19 vaccine preferences did not diverge, even if respondents knew someone who had COVID-19 or who died from it. COVID-19 vaccine interest was greater among 65- to 80-year-olds versus 50- to 64-year-olds, among men versus women, and among whites versus Hispanics and blacks. "Our findings point to a strong need to communicate effectively and transparently about how well the vaccines work, the safeguards built in to protect the safety of recipients, and the public health importance of widespread vaccination starting with priority groups," said U of M's Preeti Malani.