Vaccine Protection Undermined by Misinformation and Knowledge Gaps, Says Dr. Kristina Crothers

A growing chorus of medical experts is advocating for combination vaccines as a practical solution to improve patient adherence for respiratory illnesses, though researchers stress that safety and efficacy must be thoroughly validated before implementation.

Dr. Kristina Crothers, professor of medicine and pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at the University of Washington, believes consolidating multiple vaccines could streamline immunization schedules and boost overall vaccination rates.

“If we can combine vaccines, it seems logical that it would definitely improve adherence,” said Crothers. “I think we need to know that it’s safe, though.”

She emphasized that ongoing clinical studies are crucial to address potential concerns about side effect risks and whether combined vaccines would maintain the same immunogenicity and durability as separately administered doses. This cautious approach reflects the medical community’s commitment to evidence-based vaccine development amid rising respiratory infection rates.

The potential benefits of combination vaccines come at a critical time when healthcare systems worldwide are grappling with suboptimal vaccination rates for respiratory illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal disease. Public health officials have long been concerned about the logistical challenges patients face in adhering to multiple vaccination schedules.

According to Crothers, knowledge gaps represent one of the most significant barriers to vaccine uptake. Many patients—and sometimes healthcare providers themselves—remain unaware of newer vaccine options or updated recommendations.

“There may be people who aren’t aware of vaccines that are available for RSV—being a newer vaccine, for example—and maybe not knowing that there’s updated COVID-19 vaccines that are different from the ones that they received before,” Crothers explained. “And knowing that there’s changes in recommendations, like for pneumococcal vaccine lowering the age to age 50.”

This knowledge deficit cuts across both patient and provider communities, creating a systemic challenge for public health campaigns. Healthcare systems often struggle to effectively communicate evolving vaccine recommendations, particularly when guidelines change rapidly, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond education gaps, Crothers identified misinformation as perhaps the most damaging obstacle to optimal vaccine coverage. The spread of unsubstantiated claims linking vaccines to adverse outcomes has fueled vaccine hesitancy across various demographics.

“We really need to address those concerns and do a better job at dispelling some of the misinformation that’s out there,” she urged.

The problem has been exacerbated by social media platforms where misleading information can spread rapidly, often outpacing science-based messaging from health authorities. Public health experts have increasingly called for coordinated efforts between healthcare providers, government agencies, and technology companies to counter false narratives about vaccines.

Combination vaccines could potentially address multiple barriers simultaneously by simplifying the vaccination process and reducing the number of separate appointments needed. This approach has already proven successful with childhood vaccines, where combinations like MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) have been standard practice for decades.

Several pharmaceutical companies are currently investigating various respiratory combination vaccines, including formulations that would protect against both influenza and COVID-19 in a single shot. Early clinical trials have shown promising results, though regulatory approval likely remains several years away.

While the development of combination vaccines progresses, healthcare systems continue to rely on co-administration strategies, where multiple vaccines are given during the same visit. Current CDC guidelines support this approach for many respiratory vaccines, confirming they can be safely administered together.

Addressing these systemic barriers will require multifaceted approaches, including improved provider education, streamlined vaccine scheduling systems, and coordinated public health messaging to counter misinformation. As respiratory virus seasons increasingly overlap, the need for efficient vaccination strategies becomes ever more pressing.