Only 45% of Americans age 50 and older say they're likely to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine this season, according to a poll today from the University of Michigan. 

The poll shows many at high risk of severe illness appear unlikely to seek the vaccine, and interest in an updated vaccine varies widely by age-group, education level, and other factors.

The results come from the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted in August. At the time of polling, new COVID vaccines were not yet widely available, but they had been approved for use and endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Among adults 75 and older, 59% said they were likely to get the updated COVID-19 shot, with 49% of them saying they’re very likely and 10% saying they're somewhat likely. Among adults 65 to 74, 51% said they were likely to get the vaccine.

Level of education plays a role

Among those aged 50 to 64, more said they were unlikely to get the new vaccine; 55% unlikely, compared with 37% likely.

In 2023, nearly half of all US COVID hospitalizations were among those ages 75 and older. 

The poll showed demographic differences as well. Adults with a Bachelor's degree were more likely to get vaccinated—54%, compared with 41% of those with lower levels of education. Overall, women were slightly more likely than men to say they would be vaccinated. 

Our new poll data suggest that providers and healthcare organizations need to do more to encourage older adults to get vaccinated soon.

"Our new poll data suggest that providers and healthcare organizations need to do more to encourage older adults to get vaccinated soon, especially given the current wave of cases and the likelihood of another wave this winter," said senior advisor to the poll Preeti Malani, MD, in a press release from the University of Michigan.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on September 20 that Missouri’s ongoing investigation into a recent H5N1 avian flu infection involving no known animal contact has turned up a second health worker who had symptoms, but wasn’t tested.

The CDC said the second health worker wasn’t tested, because his or her illness had resolved before the investigation began. The initial case involved a patient with underlying health conditions and was hospitalized for chest pain, gastrointestinal issues, and other symptoms. A respiratory panel done during hospitalization was positive for influenza A and was later subtyped as H5. Follow-up analysis determined that the virus was H5N1 and similar to the strain infecting dairy cattle, though the patient had no known exposure to cows or other sick patients.

Last week, the CDC said Missouri officials had identified two symptomatic contacts, the patient’s household contact and the first health worker.

In its update, the CDC added that blood samples from the Missouri patient and the household contact have been collected by Missouri health officials and will be sent to the CDC for serologic testing. The first health worker tested negative for influenza in an earlier test, and serological testing will be offered to the second health worker.

CDC and Ohio partners launch serosurvey in veterinary workers

In a related development, the CDC said it and staff from the Ohio Department of Health last week launched a serosurvey of bovine veterinary workers who attended the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) annual conference in Columbus, Ohio. 

The groups enrolled 150 attendees across 45 states who have worked with cattle in the last 3 months. Participants completed a survey that included questions on exposure, personal protective equipment use, and whether they had experienced flulike symptoms since January. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) said last week that Ghana has notified it of a human H9N2 avian flu case, marking the first zoonotic avian flu case reported from the country.

The patient is a 5-year-old girl who lives near the border with Burkina Faso and who became ill on May 5. Two days later, she was seen at a local hospital and treated for flulike illness. PCR testing on her respiratory sample was positive for H3N2 seasonal flu.

However, genomic testing identified the virus as H9 avian influenza, and additional testing at WHO collaborating centers in the United Kingdom and the United States confirmed the presence of H9N2 on August 6. 

After the subtype was confirmed, regional health officials visited the patient, who was experiencing a new onset of respiratory symptoms. Serum and respiratory samples were negative for flu and the girl has recovered.

No known exposure to poultry

Investigators found that the patient had no known exposure to poultry or people sick with similar symptoms. Samples from close contacts were negative, and no related cases have been detected in the community.

Poultry illnesses have been reported from the region where the girl lives, but the cause hasn’t been confirmed. Ghana has reported low pathogenic H9N2 in poultry since 2017, the WHO said.

H9N2 is known to circulate in poultry, especially in Asia where sporadic infections are reported, mainly in children and mostly mild after exposure to poultry. The WHO said no sustained human-to-human H9N2 activity has been reported.