Since its development in the 20th century, the influenza vaccination has become one of the most widely used vaccines in the United States with millions of people receiving the shot annually and many institutions requiring it. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created a significant wave of downturn in flu vaccination, impacting both medical and non-medical professionals. This reluctance has led to more severe flu seasons and increased rates of infection.
To counteract this trend, governments must mandate flu vaccinations and depoliticize them. The influenza vaccination has been a cornerstone of public health, especially for healthcare workers who work frontline and strive to prevent flu transmission. Alarmingly, flu vaccination rates plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study found that “Forty-two percent of patients eligible to receive the influenza vaccine who were seen in 2019–20 influenza season received the influenza vaccine, compared to 30% in 2021–22” 1 .
A sudden lack of trust in healthcare providers and government recommendations heavily contributed to this substantial drop 2 . Moreover, misinformation and baseless claims regarding the safety and side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine led to lower rates of flu vaccination 3 . A catastrophic mix of lack of trust and misinformation is giving rise to early and fierce flu outbreaks 4 . Failure to receive flu vaccinations leads to preventable outbreaks and deaths. It unnecessarily puts the lives of both healthcare workers and citizens at an avoidable risk.
The Supreme Court ruling in Jacobson vs. Massachusetts emphasises the government’s duty to protect its people against diseases. The Court rightfully claimed that in the “principle of self-defense, of paramount necessity, a community has the right to protect itself against an epidemic of disease which threatens the safety of its members” 5 . This precedent is a critical affirmation that vaccine uptake is essential for the health of communities. Declining vaccine rates leave citizens exposed and susceptible to preventable diseases. The unreasonable and unfounded distrust in government and healthcare workers does not outweigh the importance of protecting communities against influenza. This precedent serves as a reminder that governments should use their power to benefit their people.
The government must address the concerns of both the general public and healthcare professionals to combat the decline in vaccination rates. The politicization of vaccines has created a divide with Democrats having significantly higher rates of vaccination than the Republicans 6 . We can not allow the misinformation and irrational distrust of the COVID-19 vaccination to cause a further decrease in vaccination against preventable diseases. One study suggests a new and effective approach: isolate the COVID-19 vaccine from other vaccines 6 . People often associate the COVID vaccine with a negative stigma and we need to prevent further grouping of the two vaccines. Vaccinations should not be a political issue. They are scientific creations developed to save lives.
Vaccinations are a crucial tool for public health. By removing the political stigma surrounding vaccinations, we can boost vaccine uptake and save lives. Vaccination should be viewed as a life-saving tool as opposed to a political statement. We must undo the misinformation regarding vaccination to prevent the spread of preventable diseases. Getting vaccinations allows everyone to play an essential role in protecting ourselves and our communities. Every vaccination matters.
(This research and article is the work of Sara Saini and Saira Manzur from Weslyan University Connecticut USA. They are 1st year students studying Bio Pre-Med)
