Flu vaccination rate holds steady but misinformation about flu and COVID-19 persists

• However, 19% of respondents also think, incorrectly, that the effectiveness of the measles vaccine can vary from year to year and 40% are not sure.
• Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed (73%) think the seasonal flu shot is effective at reducing the risk of getting the flu this year.

• 14% of our respondents say they have had the flu this season. Of this group, 8% had no symptoms; 29% had mild symptoms; 43% had moderate symptoms; and 19% had severe symptoms.

• Flu vaccine and COVID-19: Three-quarters (77%) know it’s false to say that the seasonal flu shot increases your risk of getting COVID-19—though 6% incorrectly think this is true and 17% are not sure whether it is true or false. (See APPC’s project FactCheck.org to learn more about the false claim linking the flu shot and COVID-19.)
• Better late than never: 71% know it’s false to say that if you haven’t gotten your flu shot by November, there’s no value in getting it—though 11% incorrectly think this is true and 18% are not sure. (The CDC recommends vaccination even after November because significant flu activity can continue into May.)
• Cold weather: Nearly two-thirds (65%) know it’s false to say that cold weather causes the flu—but a third either incorrectly think this is true (22%) or are not sure (13%).
• The flu can be treated: 64% of respondents know it’s false to say there is no treatment for the flu—but 23% incorrectly think this is true and 13% are not sure if it is true.

• Pregnancy: Almost half (49%) do not know that it is safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy, including the 10% who think it is not safe and 39% who are unsure. Just 51% know it is safe.
• Get flu from the shot? 46% do not know you cannot get the flu from the flu shot, including 29% who think you can get the flu from the shot and 16% who are not sure.
• Antibiotics and the flu: 45% do not know that the flu cannot be treated with antibiotics, including 25% who think it can be treated with antibiotics and 20% who are unsure.
• Antibiotics and viruses: 40% do not know that antibiotics do not work on viruses such as those that cause colds, the flu, and COVID-19—including 20% who think it is false to say antibiotics don’t work on viruses, and 20% who are unsure.

• Tamiflu: Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed (65%) disagree with the statement that there’s no need for a flu shot because they can always use Tamiflu to treat flu symptoms.
• Breakthrough infections: 58% disagree with the statement that breakthrough seasonal flu infections are evidence that flu shots don’t work—though 15% agree and 26% neither agree nor disagree.
• Danger to children: 57% disagree with the statement that children do not need the seasonal flu shot because they are at a low risk of death from the flu—though 18% agree and 25% neither agree nor disagree.
• Flu shots for all: Just 41% agree that every person older than six months should get a flu shot every year—33% disagree and 26% neither agree nor disagree. The CDC recommends a flu shot every season for nearly everyone six months and older.

• 69% said I get it every year (down from 78% in January 2022)
• 64% said to protect myself against catching the flu (up from 44% in January 2022)
• 8% said to protect myself against COVID-19 (unchanged from 9% in January 2022)
• 25% said because it is recommended by the CDC (this response was not previously offered)

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COVID-19 and MMR vaccine mandates

• 53% of those surveyed strongly or somewhat agree that the U.S. Army should be able to require COVID-19 vaccination of all soldiers who do not have a medical or religious exemption and 30% strongly or somewhat disagree (asked of a survey half-sample).
• 45% strongly or somewhat agree that public schools should be able to require COVID-19 vaccination of all children who do not have a medical or religious exemption and 38% strongly or somewhat disagree (asked of a half-sample).

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