Every year, health experts encourage adults, especially those in middle age and older, to get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
These shots are known to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Yet a new national survey shows that many people over 50 are choosing not to get vaccinated, often for a surprisingly simple reason. They do not believe they need another shot.
The findings come from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, which asked nearly 3,000 adults between the ages of 50 and 98 about their vaccination habits. The results reveal a large gap between medical advice and personal beliefs.
About 28 percent of people over 50 said they skipped the flu shot because they felt it was unnecessary. Nearly the same number, 29 percent, said the same about the COVID-19 vaccine.
This attitude persists despite strong evidence showing that these viruses become more dangerous with age. As people grow older, their immune systems weaken, making it harder to fight off infections.
Chronic health conditions, which are more common later in life, further increase the risk. Vaccines help prepare the immune system so that if infection occurs, the illness is usually milder and recovery is faster.
In the survey, researchers found that 42 percent of adults over 50 had not received either the updated flu or COVID-19 vaccines in the previous six months. Only 29 percent had received both vaccines, while 27 percent had gotten just the flu shot. This means a large portion of older adults are entering flu and COVID seasons without strong protection.
After believing the vaccines were unnecessary, the next most common reason for avoiding vaccination was concern about side effects. Nearly one in five people avoided the flu shot for this reason, while more than one in four avoided the COVID-19 vaccine.
Some people also doubted whether the vaccines actually work. About 18 percent questioned the effectiveness of the flu vaccine, and 19 percent questioned the COVID vaccine.
Others admitted that they simply forgot. Around 10 percent said they missed the flu shot because it slipped their mind, and 6 percent said the same for the COVID shot.
Very few people said they skipped vaccination because of practical barriers such as cost, time, insurance, or availability. Only 1 to 4 percent mentioned these issues, suggesting access was not the main problem.
Interestingly, changes in vaccine policies or confusion about eligibility did not seem to play a role. Fewer than 1 percent of respondents said they skipped vaccination because they believed they were not eligible. This shows that most people knew they could get vaccinated but chose not to.
Current health guidelines still recommend regular vaccination for older adults. Most people over 65 and those with weakened immune systems are advised to receive two COVID-19 vaccine doses per year. Adults under 65 with certain health conditions are advised to get at least one dose annually.
These conditions include diabetes, asthma, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking history, and low physical activity. Flu vaccination is still recommended every year for everyone older than six months.
Despite these recommendations, the survey found that 39 percent of older adults with chronic health conditions had not received either vaccine. This is especially concerning because these individuals face the highest risk of severe illness if infected.
Vaccination rates varied widely by age. Adults aged 75 and older were the most likely to be vaccinated, with 76 percent receiving the flu shot and 46 percent receiving the COVID vaccine.
Among those aged 65 to 74, vaccination rates were lower, with 64 percent getting the flu shot and 37 percent getting the COVID vaccine. The lowest rates were seen among people aged 50 to 64, where only 42 percent received the flu vaccine and just 20 percent received the COVID shot.
Experts reviewing these findings say the results highlight a major communication problem rather than a supply or access issue.
Many older adults appear to underestimate their personal risk or misunderstand how vaccines work. Vaccines are not meant to guarantee complete protection from infection. Instead, they reduce how sick someone becomes if they do get infected.
From a research perspective, the survey has strengths and limits. It included a large and diverse national sample and asked detailed questions about attitudes and behaviors.
However, it relied on self-reported information, which can sometimes be inaccurate. Even so, the overall pattern is clear and consistent with other studies showing vaccine fatigue and risk misperception.
The findings suggest a need for better education and reminders for adults over 50. Connecting flu and COVID vaccines as part of a regular annual health routine may help. Both viruses change over time, both pose serious risks to older adults, and both vaccines work best when kept up to date.
Overall, the study shows that many older adults are not refusing vaccines out of fear or access problems, but out of a belief that they are unnecessary. Addressing that belief may be key to preventing serious illness and saving lives in future flu and COVID seasons.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
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