Summary
The flu has led to over 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths in the U.S. by December 2025, yet only 34% of adults have received a flu shot. Research from Cornell University shows that people's decision to get vaccinated is often influenced by their intuition and personal values rather than just facts and statistics.
Key Facts
- As of December 2025, 34% of U.S. adults had received a flu shot.
- Over 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 flu-related deaths occurred during the flu season.
- 16% of people were concerned about the safety of the flu vaccine, while 13% didn't get vaccinated because they believed they never get sick.
- Research by Cornell University suggests decisions about vaccines are based more on feelings and values than raw data.
- Public health campaigns traditionally focus on providing hard data about vaccines, which may not effectively change people’s minds.
- Studies involved over 700 college students and nearly 200 community members to understand vaccine decision-making.
- Perceptions of vaccine benefits and risks significantly influence people's intentions to get vaccinated.
- The research suggests that understanding how people emotionally perceive vaccination information can predict their willingness to get vaccinated.
