Study shows Florida has the lowest flu vaccination rate in the US

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

In Fort Myers, Robert Kildoo highlighted the importance of flu vaccinations to protect those with weakened immune systems, as Florida reports the lowest flu vaccination rate in the United States.

"It's about people who don't have immune systems, who need you to protect them," Kildoo said.

According to new data from ValuePenguin's health insurance research team, only 36% of adults in Florida received a flu shot in 2025, marking the lowest rate in the country. Even fewer Floridians, 15.6%, received the COVID-19 vaccine.

"We are seeing the subclade K variant of the flu," said Talon Abernathy from ValuePenguin Health Insurance Research. "This variant of the flu is resistant to sort of the main flu vaccine you would get. Now, with that being said, health officials and doctors still recommend you get the flu vaccine."

Despite the availability of flu shots at pharmacies, many people choose not to get vaccinated, even though the flu claims lives annually. Riko Reyes from Fort Myers explained that cultural remedies and anti-vaccine sentiments contribute to the low vaccination rates.

"We got people from the Caribbean. We got people from central South America. We have a lot of traditional remedies for cold vaccines and stuff like that. Then you combine that with all the anti-vaccine stuff that's going on and social media," Reyes said.

Research indicates that about 10 to 11% of Florida's population lacks health insurance, correlating with the state's low vaccination rates, according to Abernathy. Overall, Florida's flu vaccine rates have been declining, ranking seventh in declines in the nation.

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