Vaccination Rates Decline Amid Rising Preventable Diseases

Strategic Insights -

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and the American College of Physicians (ACP) is urging adults to get all recommended immunizations to protect against preventable diseases like influenza, RSV, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Despite vaccination being safe and effective, vaccination rates are falling, with only 44.9% of U.S. adults over 18 receiving a flu vaccine during the 2023-2024 season, representing a 4.3% decrease from the previous season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that symptomatic influenza cases rose from 31 million cases to 40 million cases between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons, marking a 29% increase. The same CDC report estimated that for the 2023-2024 season, influenza led to 18 million medical visits in the U.S. alone.

Key Takeaways:

  • The American College of Physicians (ACP) is urging adults to get all recommended immunizations to protect against preventable diseases like influenza, RSV, pneumonia, and COVID-19.
  • Only 44.9% of U.S. adults over 18 received a flu vaccine during the 2023-2024 season, representing a 4.3% decrease from the previous season.
  • The CDC reports that symptomatic influenza cases rose from 31 million cases to 40 million cases between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons, marking a 29% increase.
  • The same CDC report estimated that for the 2023-2024 season, influenza led to 18 million medical visits in the U.S. alone.
  • The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for all adults 75 and over and for adults 50 to 74 who are at high risk.
  • Adults should consult with their physician to determine which vaccines are recommended to them based on their age and risk conditions.

Statistics:

  • 44.9% of U.S. adults over 18 received a flu vaccine during the 2023-2024 season.
  • A 4.3% decrease in flu vaccine rates from the previous season was reported.
  • 40 million symptomatic influenza cases occurred in the 2023-2024 season, a 29% increase from the 2022-2023 season.
  • 31 million symptomatic influenza cases occurred in the 2022-2023 season.
  • 18 million medical visits in the U.S. alone were attributed to influenza for the 2023-2024 season.

Sources:

  • American College of Physicians. (2025, August 1). Internal Medicine Physicians Urge Adults to Get Recommended Vaccinations to Protect Against Preventable Diseases.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023-2024). Adult Immunization Schedule.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023-2024). Influenza (Flu) & People with Certain Chronic Health Conditions.