Ron Saritzky, age 70, didn’t waste ant time when he arrived at the Kaiser Permanente  medical Centre in Parnorama city, California. There was a bright blue table with a sign that said” be protected”, inviting people to get vaccines. Saritzky went light up and got both his flu shot updated COVID shot in his left arm. He appreciated how quick and easy it was. It’s super great, he said happy that walk-ins were welcome.

Nearby at another vaccine table set up near a farmer’s market 49 years old Rafael orellana didn’t hesitate either. He sat down and got his flu shot. “we need it” he said, explaining that the never misses his flu vaccine. However, people like Saritzky and orellana are in the minority. Many people are tired of getting vaccines and are either delaying or skipping them altogether. Recent data from the CDC shows that only about 22% of adults have gotten their flu shot this year, and only 12% have received the updated COVID vaccine.

Why Should Get the Flu Vaccine ?

Health experts say that the flu vaccine is safe for everyone, including babies, pregnant women, and older adults. However, even though most people agree that vaccines are a good idea, many don’t actually get them. A survey by the national foundation for infectious diseases found that while two-thirds of people believe getting a flu shot is important, 45% either didn’t plan get it or were unsure. And only 26% planned to get the updated COVID shot, even though the CDC recommends it.

How to overcome vaccine fatigue

Many people have always been hesitant to get the flu shot. During the 2023-2024 flu season, only 45% of U.S. adults and 55% of children under 17 got their flu shot. These numbers shows that many still aren’t making vaccines a priority, even though health experts emphasize their importance for preventing illness and protecting vulnerable groups.