Your Winter Health — Colds, COVID, the Flu & More

It’s the flu and cold season. And it’s the next incarnation of COVID season, too. We also have to worry about RSV. So how are we — the American people — addressing this year’s sickness worries?

The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania asked that question and found that 35% of us are worried about contracting RSV and/or COVID. Another 39% said they’re only worried about the flu.

And though those worries are there, are we doing anything about them? Annenberg Public Policy Center director, Kathleen Hall Jamieson said just 21% say they’ve gotten a flu shot this season.

That’s below last year’s 26% at this time.

“Because getting a flu shot yearly not only helps to protect us from serious infection but also predicts our acceptance of other CDC-recommended vaccines, the drop in reported flu vaccination we see reflected in our panel is worrisome,” she said.

Those taking the survey are split when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations.

• 44% said they’re unlikely to get the jab
• 40% said they’ll likely get a COVID booster
• Just 8% said they’ve already gotten a shot

As for the COVID-19 vaccine, just 20% say they’ve gotten one so far and 25% of those surveyed say they haven’t gotten one yet but plan to get one soon.

RSV is another issue. A vaccine has been approved for seniors and 55% of those surveyed say they’ll recommend that a friend, family friend, or a relative over 60 get the RSV shot.

Source link: The Hill — https://bit.ly/3RhNcWG