Simon F. Haeder, Texas A&M University

When most people think about vaccines, they typically think about humans: Experts warn that when large numbers of people are unvaccinated, it can lead to severe consequences, including disease outbreaks and higher rates of illness and death, particularly among the most vulnerable. The economic costs to society can also be substantial.

However, vaccines also provide important protections for our nonhuman companions, including the most common pets: dogs and cats.

Yet, as my research published in 2024 in the American Journal of Veterinary Research and the journal Vaccine indicates, vaccine hesitancy is beginning to spill over into some people’s decisions about whether to vaccinate their pets.

Vaccines and pets

A large body of research has confirmed that U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines are safe for most people. Yet vaccines have never been universally accepted, dating back to the first inoculations against smallpox. Vaccine hesitancy, or concerns over getting vaccinated, has only intensified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Growing concerns about vaccines have important implications that go well beyond the individual making decisions about whether or not to get vaccinated.

Vaccines generally work through two important pathways. First, for the vaccinated individual, they provide direct protection by reducing the risk of contracting a disease; they also reduce the severity of a disease.

Vaccines also provide an indirect form of protection for society at large through a process commonly known as “herd immunity.” This occurs when a high percentage of people in a community have developed immunity, ensuring that future outbreaks affect fewer individuals and are quickly contained.

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Humans, of course, are not the only species that benefits from the direct and indirect protections of vaccines. However, so far, very little research has examined vaccination in nonhumans.

My recent work specifically sought to extend scientific knowledge about dog and cat owners by using large, national surveys. Many of the findings were positive: The vast majority of cats and dogs have received core vaccines, which provide protection against rabies and other dangerous diseases. Core vaccines are those vaccines that are recommended for all dogs and cats.

Moreover, three-quarters of pet owners trust their veterinarian when it comes to vaccines. And even higher percentages felt confident discussing vaccine-related concerns with their veterinarian. They also understand that many vaccine-preventable pet diseases can be severe.

Pet owners also wanted their neighbors to vaccinate their pets: Most dog and cat owners, more than 80%, supported vaccination requirements for various core and noncore vaccines.

Yet, other findings raise concerns. Most prominently, my study, published in late 2024, identified 22% of dog owners and 26% of cat owners as vaccine hesitant regarding their pets. And although most pets were vaccinated against common diseases, a minority were not. This includes about 4% of dogs and 12% of cats that remained unvaccinated against rabies. For other diseases like parvovirus and distemper, vaccination rates were even lower. The study confirmed similar findings from my earlier 2023 study.

In the same 2024 study, many of the concerns raised by pet owners mirror those of humans: More than half of pet owners question the effectiveness of vaccines.

A similar percentage was concerned about vaccine safety and side effects. Many believed it was better for pets to contract a disease to get immunity than to get vaccinated. About 60% of pet owners thought that pets receive too many vaccines. Strikingly, nearly all pet owners preferred fewer vaccines to be administered to their pets at a time.

Going forward

When people choose to not vaccinate their pets, it can have important implications for society.

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The most immediate impact will be on pet owners. Unvaccinated pets face a higher risk of illness and death from preventable diseases; although vaccines are not completely effective, and in some cases even vaccinated pets may be affected. This may impose substantial financial and emotional costs on their owners.

Veterinarians will also be affected. They may encounter pets with diseases they may not expect to see or have had limited exposure to in the past. The same holds for other professions dealing with pets, including groomers, boarders and walkers.

There are also broader implications for public health: Encounters with rabies, in particular, may become more common. Humans may be directly affected if they are bitten by an infected pet. Pets also come into contact with wildlife, increasing the potential for the further spread of rabies.

From a public health perspective, low vaccination rates for pets are just as concerning as those for humans. I believe that a comprehensive public health strategy is crucial for addressing the growing concerns among pet owners regarding vaccines. Such a strategy should not simply dismiss pet owners’ concerns as conspiracy theories, but should instead adopt a thoughtful approach that takes individuals’ specific concerns seriously.

Simon F. Haeder, Associate Professor of Public Health, Texas A&M University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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The two organizations will partner to foster healthy habits in young children and their families by offering free resources and videos and “Sesamatized” spaces

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — Today, Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, and NewYork-Presbyterian announced a partnership to improve health outcomes for young children by supporting their physical and emotional well-being through joyful learning moments engaging parents, caregivers, and community providers. Sesame Workshop is collaborating with NewYork-Presbyterian’s physicians and community partners on a social impact and mass media campaign featuring videos, educational materials, and “Sesamatized” physical spaces, to promote children’s health.

The partnership is launching with a six-part video series titled “Ask a Doctor,” featuring Sesame Street Muppets and NewYork-Presbyterian physicians. The videos are designed to educate and empower parents and caregivers on how to help young children stay healthy. They will cover topics including how to develop healthy sleep habits, deal with food allergies, and prepare for wellness visits. The series can be found on Sesame Workshop’s YouTube channel and will be available on NewYork-Presbyterian’s internal patient entertainment system.

“We are delighted to partner with NewYork-Presbyterian in our shared commitment to equity and health justice,” said Jeanette Betancourt, Ed.D., Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop. “Our collaboration allows us to combine our expertise in healthcare, child development, and family and community engagement to make an impactful difference in the lives of those who need it most. In fostering healthy practices, especially in the early years, in ways that incorporate the perspectives and needs of parents and caregivers along with their community support networks, we are all working together to pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future.”

“We are thrilled to work with Sesame Workshop to empower parents and caregivers with important health information and meet families where they are,” said Dr. Deepa Kumaraiah, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of NewYork-Presbyterian. “Through fun learning moments that support the health and well-being of young people in our communities, we can help reduce health disparities and work toward health justice.”

A key focus of the partnership is a collaboration between Sesame Workshop and NewYork-Presbyterian’s neighboring community partners. Sesame Workshop will create educational materials with input from the children and caregivers in the communities NewYork-Presbyterian serves. Among the resources that will be available are bilingual Muppet videos, storybooks, parent guides, and activity books. “Sesamatized” physical spaces including décor featuring Sesame Street Muppets will open in the second half of 2025. The materials will be available where children and their families are, including community centers and NewYork-Presbyterian’s hospitals and clinics.

Additionally, two videos, featuring Elmo, Gabrielle, and other Sesame Street friends, that celebrate everyone of all hair and fur types complement NewYork-Presbyterian’s Dalio Center for Health Justice’s Crown Hair Care program, an initiative to provide inclusive hair care kits for pediatric and obstetric patients with curly, coiled, or tightly textured hair. These are also featured on NewYork-Presbyterian’s patient entertainment system.

About Sesame Workshop 
Sesame Workshop is the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world. Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more bring playful early learning to families in more than 150 countries and advance our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. Learn more at www.sesame.org and follow Sesame Workshop on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X. 

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About NewYork-Presbyterian
NewYork-Presbyterian is one of the nation’s most comprehensive, integrated academic healthcare systems, encompassing 10 hospitals across the Greater New York area, nearly 200 primary and specialty care clinics and medical groups, and an array of telemedicine services.

A leader in medical education, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is affiliated with two renowned medical schools, Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. This collaboration means patients have access to the country’s leading physicians, the full range of medical specialties, latest innovations in care, and research that is developing cures and saving lives.

Founded 250 years ago, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has a long legacy of medical breakthroughs and innovation, from the invention of the Pap test to pioneering the groundbreaking heart valve replacement procedure called TAVR.

NewYork-Presbyterian’s 50,000 employees and affiliated physicians are dedicated to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care to New Yorkers and patients from across the country and around the world.

For more information, visit www.nyp.org and find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

SOURCE NewYork-Presbyterian

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(Family Features) Staying up to date on recommended vaccines is important during pregnancy. This is especially true during the winter months when more people tend to get sick from flu, COVID-19 and RSV. These viruses can be especially dangerous for pregnant people and babies.

Vaccines are an important part of routine pregnancy care, both for you and your baby. Getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 can cut your risk of hospitalization by about half.

Now is the time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already. Flu vaccines help protect you from getting the flu and getting seriously ill, so it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment now. The latest COVID-19 vaccines are important too because they lower your risk of serious illness. An RSV vaccine may also be recommended for when you are 32-36 weeks pregnant. Be sure to talk to your doctor.

“Right now, we are seeing a concerning increase in cases of respiratory diseases, such as the flu, COVID-19 and RSV,” said Adm. Rachel Levin, MD, assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “I encourage all pregnant people to take preventive action to protect their health and the health of their baby. The best and safest way to do this is to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is easy and is usually covered by insurance.”

Help Protect Your Baby 
When you get flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, you’re helping protect your baby by passing your immunity on to them. Getting vaccinated against flu, COVID-19 and RSV during pregnancy can protect your baby during the first 6 months of life. These viruses can be very harmful to newborns. In fact, RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants

Talk to Your Doctor About Timing
Millions of people in the U.S. have already gotten vaccinated against flu, COVID-19 and RSV this season. If you haven’t gotten your vaccines yet, be sure to talk with your doctor. They can help you choose the right vaccines and determine the best timing to help protect you and your baby.

Get the Facts
Getting vaccinated can give you peace of mind, ensuring you have done everything you can to protect yourself and your baby from serious respiratory illness. Information can give you power and comfort, especially when you’re pregnant.

Go to cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore to learn more about flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, or go to vaccines.gov to get started today.

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Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services