How Many Healthcare Workers Actually Get the Yearly Flu and COVID Vaccines?

Why It Matters

The low COVID vaccination rate among clinicians jeopardizes infection control and could strain health‑care delivery, while the relatively high flu uptake shows targeted messaging can work.

Key Takeaways

• 76% of US healthcare personnel received flu vaccine last season.
• Pharmacists lead flu uptake at 95%, nurses lag at 80%.
• COVID vaccine coverage among staff rose only to 40% overall.
• Physicians topped COVID shots at 47%; nurses only 27% vaccinated.
• Flu vaccination rates improved, COVID rates remain critically low.

Summary

The CDC released a survey detailing flu and COVID vaccine uptake among U.S. healthcare workers during the most recent season.

The data show 76% of respondents received the flu shot, up modestly from the prior year. Pharmacists (95%) and physicians (93%) had the highest flu coverage, while nurses lagged at 80%. COVID vaccination lagged far behind, with only 40% of staff reporting receipt, up from 31% a year earlier. Physicians again led at 47%, pharmacists at 41%, nurse practitioners at 32%, and nurses at just 27%.

The report highlights the stark contrast between the two vaccines, noting that despite the heightened risk environment, many clinicians still forgo COVID immunization. “More than half of surveyed healthcare staff didn’t get a COVID shot,” the CDC summary emphasized, underscoring persistent hesitancy.

The gap suggests potential vulnerabilities in patient safety and workforce resilience, prompting hospitals to reassess outreach and mandate strategies to boost COVID vaccine confidence among frontline staff.

Original Description

On the latest #MedPod, Terry Rudd dives into how many physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners reported receiving yearly flu and COVID shots, according to an annual CDC survey.

Read more at: https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19vaccine/120650