COVID-19 Pandemic Alters Influenza Vaccination and Healthcare Satisfaction

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on influenza vaccination and healthcare satisfaction, especially among those at high risk of developing influenza-related complications. A recent study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases found that 7.0% of adults who were always vaccinated against influenza before the pandemic never received another vaccine during the pandemic phase, compared to 48.7% of those who were intermittently vaccinated before the pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in influenza vaccination rates, with 7.0% of always-vaccinated adults and 48.7% of intermittently vaccinated adults not receiving another vaccine during the pandemic phase.
• Those who were vaccine refusers were more likely to reside in areas with greater socioeconomic deprivation, have a high school education or less, and report healthcare disengagement.
• Healthcare disengagement increased among vaccine refusers compared to always-vaccinated adults between phases.
• Those with severe comorbidities were less likely to be always vaccinated and more dissatisfied with care.
• The pandemic affected vaccination behaviors and healthcare satisfaction among adults in southeastern Minnesota.
• Medical providers and public health officials need to be aware of factors associated with vaccine refusal to better target interventions.

Statistics:

• 7.0% of always-vaccinated adults never received another vaccine during the pandemic phase.
• 48.7% of intermittently vaccinated adults never received another vaccine during the pandemic phase.
• 1.58 times more likely to reside in areas with greater socioeconomic deprivation for intermittently vaccinated adults compared to always-vaccinated adults.
• 1.99 times more likely to have a high school education or less for intermittently vaccinated adults compared to always-vaccinated adults.
• 1.59 times more likely to experience healthcare disengagement for intermittently vaccinated adults compared to always-vaccinated adults.
• 3.33 times more likely to experience healthcare disengagement among vaccine refusers compared to always-vaccinated adults between phases.
• 1.21 times less likely to be always vaccinated for those with severe comorbidities compared to those without severe comorbidities.
• 1.25 times more dissatisfied with care for those with severe comorbidities compared to those without severe comorbidities.

Sources:

• The Influence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic On Influenza Vaccination Refusal and Patient Satisfaction. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2025;12(7).
• Researchers from Mayo Clinic Detail New Studies and Findings in the Area of COVID-19 (The Influence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic On Influenza Vaccination Refusal and Patient Satisfaction). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. August 3, 2025; p 157.