Influenza vaccination coverage among US health care personnel (HCP) during the 2024–25 respiratory virus season remained similar to coverage during the 2023–24 season, while uptake of the COVID vaccine, though significantly improved from the prior year, remained markedly lower, according to a report published yesterday in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Based on a national survey of 2,650 HCP conducted in spring 2025, an estimated 76.3% of HCP reported receiving a flu vaccine, according to the CDC authors. That level of coverage is similar to vaccine uptake during the 2023–24 season (75.4%) and has remained relatively stable since the 2015–16 season. Coverage since the 2015–16 season ranges from 78.4% to 80.6%, with an average of 79.5%.

In contrast, 40.2% of HCP reported receiving the 2024–25 COVID vaccine, up from 31.3% in 2023–24.

Coverage varied by job, policies, vaccination locale

Coverage varied by occupation and setting. Flu vaccination rates were highest among pharmacists (94.6%), physicians (92.6%), and hospital-based workers (88.3%), while lower rates were observed among assistants and aides (69.0%) and those working in long-term care settings (70.5%). 

COVID-19 vaccination coverage was highest among HCP with master’s, professional, or doctoral degrees (47.3%) and physicians, assistants, and aides (46.7%).

Workplace policies were strongly associated with vaccination uptake. Among HCP whose employers required flu vaccination, coverage reached 97.3%, compared with 73.9% for those whose employers recommended but didn’t require the vaccine and 42.6% among those whose employers neither required nor recommended the vaccine. 

Similar patterns were observed for COVID vaccination, with notably higher uptake in settings with employer requirements or where on-site vaccination was available. 

Even when vaccination wasn’t required, offering vaccination on site was linked to higher coverage. Flu and COVID vaccination rates were 73.0% and 42.9%, respectively, among HCP whose employers offered vaccines on-site, compared with 41.4% and 19.8% among those without on-site access.

Flu, COVID substantial cause of absenteeism

The findings come as the flu and COVID continue to be significant causes of absenteeism among HCP, and infection carries the risk of transmission to patients and coworkers, the authors note. 

The authors conclude, “A multipronged approach, including educating HCP about vaccination recommendations, coupled with employer vaccination requirements, recommendations, or on-site offer for vaccinations, might increase influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage” during peak respiratory virus season.