For more than six decades, the flu shot has been a key tool in protecting public health in the United States. What started as a limited campaign to vaccinate high-risk populations has grown into a yearly ritual for millions of Americans. Behind every injection is a story of shifting public opinion, policy decisions, and medical advances that together have shaped how Americans view and use flu vaccines.
In 1957, during the Asian Flu pandemic, Americans became more aware of the dangers of influenza. A Gallup Poll from that year showed widespread concern about the flu and support for vaccination.
Two decades later, in 1976, a swine flu scare prompted a national vaccination campaign. Early public opinion polls, such as a Gallup Poll from August, indicated that about half (53%) of Americans planned to get the jab.
By 1979, awareness of flu vaccinations had grown, but uptake remained limited. According to an Opinion Research Corporation survey from that year, only 15% of Americans said they planned to get a flu shot, despite widespread public health campaigns encouraging vaccination for high-risk groups like older adults. Surveys from this period revealed mixed attitudes: while many recognized the importance of flu shots for preventing illness, others expressed skepticism about their effectiveness or concerns about potential side effects.
The 1980s and 1990s marked a period of expanding access. Employers, schools, and healthcare providers offered flu shots more widely, and federal public health campaigns emphasized the benefits of annual vaccination for some groups.
By 1999, polls indicated that most Americans viewed flu shots positively, and vaccine coverage was steadily increasing, though differences persisted by age and region. For instance data from this era shows that coverage among those 65 and over peaked around 65% and hovered there until 2013.
The early 2000s brought new challenges and awareness. Following 9/11, public health messaging emphasized pandemic preparedness, which boosted interest in flu vaccination. Surveys from 2001 to 2003 showed that Americans largely supported flu shots, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups. Coverage remained uneven, but the overall trend reflected growing trust in the vaccine’s role in preventing serious illness. Indeed an October 2001 American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists found 58% of Americans said at least one person in their family had or would be getting a flu shot that year.
By the the 2010’s, public health campaigns targeted children, older adults, and people with chronic conditions. A 2010 Commonwealth Survey reported 46% of American adults had or would get a flu shot. Coverage for adults continued in the 40-50% range, while pediatric rates remained higher. Polling during this period showed strong support for routine vaccination every year. 2012 showed that 45% of U.S. adults had gotten a flu shot in the last 12 months, and in 2018 54% of adults planned to get one in preparation for the upcoming flu season.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine vaccinations, and flu shot coverage declined in the early 2020s. CDC data from the 2023–2024 season shows that overall influenza vaccination rates dropped, particularly among children. Researchers note that rates also vary across counties, with lower coverage in low-income areas. Public opinion polls reflect this shift: some Americans continue to see flu shots as essential for protecting themselves and others, while others are hesitant, citing safety, necessity, or mistrust of public health guidance.
Together, these moments show how public opinion, scientific research, and government action have influenced flu shot use over decades. From early pandemic campaigns to modern concerns about access and equity, the story of flu vaccination in America illustrates the ongoing interplay between policy, medicine, and the public.
This post was written by Marist Poll Media Team member Julia Tartaglia.