How likely are you to receive recommended vaccines for adult diseases (such as influenza, COVID-19, shingles, or pneumonia) when advised by a healthcare professional?

Background

Adult vaccination in the United States is a growing area of public health focus, as uptake rates remain well below targets for many recommended vaccines. According to the CDC, as of February 2026, about 46.5% of adults reported receiving the seasonal flu vaccine, while only 17.5% received the updated 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine. Coverage for other adult vaccines also lags: the Government Accountability Office found that adult vaccination rates for the shingles vaccine remained below one-third of eligible adults, and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases reported that shingles coverage among adults 50 and older was only about 33% as of 2021. Meanwhile, trust in health institutions is shifting. KFF's Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust found that trust in the CDC for reliable vaccine information has fallen to its lowest point since the COVID-19 pandemic, with only about half of adults expressing trust in the agency. At the same time, personal doctors remain the most trusted source of vaccine information, with 83% of adults reporting at least a fair amount of trust in their own healthcare provider.

Those who support following healthcare providers' vaccine recommendations point to vaccines' proven track record in reducing hospitalizations, severe illness, and death. McKinsey research has highlighted that states with higher vaccination rates see measurably lower mortality from diseases like pneumococcal pneumonia. Proponents also note that vaccines are rigorously tested by the FDA before approval and are continuously monitored for safety. On the other side, some adults cite concerns about potential side effects, skepticism about newer vaccine technologies such as mRNA, and distrust of government health agencies and pharmaceutical companies. The Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine notes that safety concerns are among the most common drivers of vaccine hesitancy, particularly for vaccines developed rapidly. Johns Hopkins researchers found that media habits play a significant role, with adults who rely on alternative health sources or certain online outlets showing higher rates of vaccine skepticism. Cultural beliefs, historical medical mistreatment of minority communities, and the framing of vaccination as a matter of personal choice rather than collective responsibility further shape the debate.

The stakes of this question extend across public health, the economy, and individual well-being. The Department of Health and Human Services has noted that disparities in adult vaccination by race, ethnicity, income, and geography reflect broader health inequities that leave vulnerable populations at heightened risk. An aging U.S. population makes diseases like shingles, pneumonia, and influenza increasingly consequential; shingles alone affects roughly one million Americans each year. Whether adults follow their healthcare providers' vaccine recommendations has direct implications for hospitalization rates, healthcare costs, and the potential for preventable disease outbreaks, making this a question with consequences for both individuals and communities at large.