Abstract Rationale Individuals with chronic respiratory disease, heart disease, or diabetes are highly susceptible to complications from viral respiratory infections (VRI). We aimed to gain insight into the attitudes toward vaccines and antivirals for VRI among adults in the US living with chronic conditions that have been associated with increased risk for complications. Methods This cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted from March 31-April 18th, 2025 using the Survey Monkey Platform. Individuals 18+ years living in the US with a self-reported diagnosis of chronic respiratory or heart disease, or diabetes were eligible to participate and 3024 respondents out of 5386 were eligible based on those criteria. Results We report the results obtained from 2175 eligible participants living with a chronic respiratory condition (defined as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis/IL-D, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, emphysema and chronic bronchitis). Most (67%) participants felt their chronic condition put them at more risk of VRI infections or complications from colds (defined as common cold, the flu, RSV infection, COVID-19, or chest cold). Half (52%) of participants had ever taken a prescription antiviral during the influenza season to prevent getting sick, 34% have ever taken a prescription anti-COVID antiviral and 59% reported that they would be likely or very likely to take an antiviral if their healthcare provider offered it. The majority (67%) of participants received a yearly influenza vaccine and 62% received a COVID-19 vaccine/booster (notably 38% were never vaccinated for COVID-19). Opinions about vaccines were overall favorable (Figure). Participants who frequently have poor outcomes (i.e., hospitalization, ER visits) with VRI were more likely to have taken prescription antivirals than those with less frequent hospitalizations; they were also more likely to have received recommended vaccinations (91% flu, 73% COVID-19). Conclusions Attitudes towards VRI prevention were overall favorable in this survey population. Patients with chronic conditions would be more likely to favor VRI prophylaxis if they understood their increased susceptibility to infection. This abstract is funded by: ENA Respiratory Pty, Melbourne, Australia
Tal-Singer et al. (Fri,) studied this question.