The survey also indicated that approximately half of the respondents plan to receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine, with a similar divide regarding other precautionary measures.
In summary, around three-quarters of adults expressed that they were either “not too worried” or “not at all worried” about contracting COVID-19 during the holidays. Likewise, two-thirds of respondents stated that they were not anxious about transmitting the virus to their close contacts.
Concerns regarding the potential surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are slightly higher, with 46% of adults expressing varying degrees of worry that hospitalizations related to COVID-19 could increase during the winter—a level of concern similar to that of the previous year.
Recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that there were approximately 14,700 COVID-19 hospitalizations during the week ending November 4, compared to approximately 23,600 hospitalizations during a similar week in 2022. However, it is worth noting that last year, hospitalizations spiked in the week following Thanksgiving after a temporary decline. Additionally, CDC data reveals a rising trend in flu activity across the US.
It is crucial to underscore that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Despite this, just over half of adults surveyed stated that they do not intend to receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine, which became available in September. This includes approximately one-third of adults who have previously received a COVID-19 vaccine. Among those who had received an earlier version of the vaccine but declined the latest one, lack of concern about the virus was identified as a predominant factor, according to the KFF survey.