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State of Infectious Disease Preparedness Survey

Press Release: New Survey Highlights Importance of Pandemic Preparedness and Public Understanding of Vaccine Science

Last Updated 10/10/2024
Washington, D.C., October 10, 2024— Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP) today released findings from the 2024 State of Infectious Disease Preparedness Survey. The survey reveals vital insights into the public’s perception of preparedness for future pandemics, underscoring the critical role of research and development (R&D), and vaccine accessibility, as well as the need for clear public understanding of vaccine science.

As the world faces increasing threats from infectious diseases, the findings highlight key areas that require urgent attention to ensure pandemic readiness and areas to support so that the public and health care providers feel adequately prepared for future public health threats. 

Key findings include:

Strengthening access to vaccines and vaccine innovation is critical in preparing for the next pandemic

Americans are looking for a better understanding of the science behind vaccines

“These survey results clearly show that strengthening research and development, along with ensuring equitable access to all available vaccines, is critical to our preparedness for the next pandemic,” said HealthyWomen President and CEO/CVEEP Co-convener Beth Battaglino. “Americans want a better understanding of the science behind vaccines and more control over their healthcare decisions. It’s essential to provide trusted information to empower individuals and build confidence in vaccines as a public health tool.”

Additionally, there is a strong correlation between the dissemination of accurate, clear, and credible information with vaccination status. For example, individuals who are unvaccinated for COVID-19 are more likely to say they do not have all the information they need to be prepared for the next infectious disease-related public health threat (45%), compared to vaccinated individuals (33%).

The survey also found that approximately three out of four consumers and pharmacists believe another global pandemic will occur within their lifetime, with 63% of consumers predicting it could happen in the next six years. At the same time, despite the need for clear communication, 42% of consumers and 37% of pharmacists expressed little to no trust in the information they receive about public health threats, particularly in rural areas where distrust is notably higher (50%). 

Additional information about CVEEP, including resources on respiratory vaccines and treatments, are available here

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About Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress

Comprising more than 250 leading patient, provider and public health organizations, CVEEP launched in December 2020 to advance education and equity around COVID-19 vaccines. Today, CVEEP is committed to providing resources and raising awareness about the continued need for vaccination against infectious respiratory illnesses across the lifespan and the importance of treatments for those who are eligible. Support for the project has been provided by Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novartis, Novavax and Pfizer, Inc. Learn more at  cveep.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn at @CVEEPSocial.

Methodology

The 2024 State of Infectious Disease Preparedness survey was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP), with support from Novavax. The 15-minute online survey was fielded from April 19th to May 10th, 2024, and obtained interviews from 150 pharmacists and 1,482 general population adults (18+) in the United States.

The general population sample was balanced to be nationally representative according to age/generation, gender, education, income, region, urban/rural location, and race/ethnicity. An oversample was collected to ensure the survey reached at least 100 people in each of the following groups: low socioeconomic status (i.e., low education/income), rural location, immunocompromised, informal caregivers, elderly (i.e., ages 60+), parents of young children, and people of color. Pharmacists surveyed had to play a role in the adoption and/or administration of vaccines to qualify. Pharmacist demographics fell out naturally.

The credibility interval, a measure of precision used for online, nonprobability polls, is +/- 3.1 percentage points for the general population sample and +/- 9.8 percentage points for pharmacists.[1]


[1] For the majority of the survey, public health threats was defined as an outbreak of infectious disease that occurs across a specific geographical area or globally, such as chickenpox, tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough, Hepatitis B, meningitis, Tetanus, yellow fever, coronavirus/ COVID-19, the Flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), malaria, etc. For the purposes of analysis, COVID-19 vaccinated individuals were defined as those who have received all shots needed to be fully vaccinated, including two or more boosters. Unvaccinated individuals received just one shot and need one more to be considered fully vaccinated OR have received no shots.

Infectious Respiratory Diseases

Press Release: CVEEP Statement on Rising Rates of Respiratory Illnesses

COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project Statement on Rising Rates of Respiratory Illnesses
Last Updated 01/16/2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 16, 2024) — The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project today released the following statement amid increasing rates of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:

“In the face of an alarming surge in respiratory illnesses this winter, including a 14.3 percent increase in deaths from COVID-19 and elevated levels of flu and RSV, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project urges greater awareness and underscores the vital role vaccination plays in helping to protect people of all ages against these vaccine preventable viruses. Additionally, we stress the crucial importance of widespread testing and timely access to treatment options to help reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent hospitalization. With the peak of winter respiratory virus season upon us, the ‘tripledemic’ is a multi-front challenge, emphasizing the need to take prevention seriously. Vaccination, testing, and treatment can help protect our communities and pave the way for a healthier, more resilient tomorrow.”

The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project website includes resources on COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and coverage. A range of experts are also available to assist with your ongoing reporting.

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About the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project

As more than 250 leading organizations representing patients, caregivers and families, diverse communities, healthcare workers, older Americans, veterans, frontline workers and scientists, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project launched in December 2020 to provide information about the clinical trials process, regulatory review, distribution of and access to potential COVID-19 vaccines in a way that promotes equity and trust. Support for the project has been provided by Pfizer, Inc., Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen, Novavax, and Novartis. Learn more at covidvaccineproject.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok at @COVIDVxProject.

COVID-19 | CDC Guidance | Vaccines

Press Release: CDC Vaccine Recommendations Ensure Broad Access and Availability of COVID-19 Vaccines

CDC Vaccine Recommendations Ensure Broad Access and Availability of COVID-19 Vaccines
Last Updated 09/12/2023
WASHINGTON (September 12, 2023) – The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project, a group of over 255 leading organizations representing patients, caregivers and families, diverse communities, health care workers, older Americans, veterans, frontline workers and scientists, released the following statement today in response to the latest Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals and authorizations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for updated COVID-19 vaccines.

“Today’s actions are an essential step in helping protect public health in advance of the fall and winter respiratory illness season. The broad-based routine and FDA-authorized and approved recommendations endorsed today enable anyone who could benefit from the vaccine to get immunized, if they choose,” said Sue Peschin, President and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research, one of three conveners of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project.

“Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers are required by law to cover, with no cost sharing, updated COVID-19 vaccines. For the uninsured, the Administration is deploying the Bridge Access program to provide no-cost access to COVID-19 vaccines for adults through public health clinics, community health centers, and participating retail pharmacies. And children, regardless of insurance status, have access to no cost vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of Healthy Women, one of three conveners of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project.

“Because of recent changes to the law, access to vaccines is better than at any previous time, but access doesn’t always translate into action. We need to continue to spread the word that vaccination is one of the most effective things we can for ourselves individually as well as for the public health,” said Karyne Jones, President and CEO of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, one of three conveners of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project recently launched the You’re Covered campaign, a multi-stakeholder effort to provide the latest information on how COVID-19 vaccines are covered by private and public insurance – and to offer details on how, in almost all cases, updated vaccines remain available at no cost to the public. For resources in English and Spanish, visit covidvaccineproject.org/covered.

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About the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project

As more than 255 leading organizations representing patients, caregivers and families, diverse communities, healthcare workers, older Americans, veterans, frontline workers and scientists, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project launched in December 2020 to provide information about the clinical trials process, regulatory review, distribution of and access to COVID-19 vaccines in a way that promotes equity and trust. Support for the project has been provided by Pfizer, Inc., Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen and Novartis. Learn more at covidvaccineproject.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X at @COVIDVxProject.