Survey: Less than half of U.S. adults will get flu shot this year; most will wear mask at some point

Less than half of all U.S. adults intend to acquire a flu shot this winter season, according to a new survey, though a majority of adults say they will mask up at some point during the flu months. 

The survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases found that, among U.S. residents 18 years and older, "only 49% plan to get a flu vaccine during the 2022-2023 flu season."

That relatively low number comes even as "69% agree that annual flu vaccination is the best preventive measure against flu-related deaths and hospitalizations," the NFID said. 

In contrast to the minority of adults who intend to receive a flu shot this year, "a majority of US adults (58%) report that they will wear a mask at least sometimes during flu season," the foundation reported. 

Fully 40% of adults "will wear a mask if flu and/or COVID-19 activity is high in their community," while more than a third "will wear a mask around crowds and large groups of people."

Health authorities have been urging U.S. residents to obtain both flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time, claiming it is safe to receive both in rapid succession. 

Flu season in the United States generally lasts from roughly September to March.