# 4982
We’ve a new poll out today by Consumer Reports on the intent (or lack thereof) of Americans to get the seasonal flu vaccine this year.
Despite ample evidence of the safety and efficacy of the seasonal (and pandemic) flu shot, only 40% of those in the "work risk" category— health care workers (HCWs) and those caring for young children — said they would definitely get the vaccine this year.
Roughly 28% said they would `definitely not’ get the flu vaccine this year.
Among those who are considered `at health risk’ due to medical conditions like heart or lung disease, neurological disorders, or immune problems only 45% said they planned to take the vaccine.
And just over half (51%) of those over 65 said they planned to take the vaccine.
Disappointing numbers, obviously.
Reasons cited for not taking the vaccine included:
- Belief the 2009 Pandemic was overblown (45%)
- Concern over side effects (44%)
- Concern over vaccine safety (41%)
- Belief the Vaccine doesn’t work (28%)
You’ll find the press release for this poll at:
Consumer Reports Flu Poll: Approximately Three Out of 10 Health Care Workers 'Living in a Bubble,' Not Getting Flu Vaccine
And the Consumer reports online article at:
Fears about the flu shot linger, our poll finds
Since surveillance and science has shown repeatedly that the flu shot is very safe, and most years about 70% effective in healthy adults under 65 (less so in the elderly), I can only surmise that the constant drumbeat of anti-vaccine propaganda on the Internet is taking its toll.
The unconscionable `scare stories’ that play up rare (but not unexpected) vaccine side effects - and completely ignore the thousands of preventable influenza deaths each year – have for many, instilled doubts over the wisdom of taking the flu shot.
Add to that a growing anti-government sentiment and a general distrust of the pharmaceutical industry, and even Health Care Workers who should know better, are avoiding the vaccine.
No vaccine is 100% safe. But flu vaccines have a very good safety profile, and the benefits far outweigh the minute risks.
Last year, more than 12,000 Americans died from the Swine flu. A disproportionate number of those (90%) were under the age of 65.
No deaths were attributed to the Swine flu vaccine (see CIDRAP VAERS study finds H1N1 vaccine safety similar to seasonal vaccines'), despite the hysterical and much-repeated warnings last year that the `vaccine was deadlier than the virus’.
Even during the greatly maligned 1976 Swine Flu vaccination campaign, only 25 deaths were linked to the vaccine (out of 40 million shots given). Had the pandemic struck as expected (it didn’t), that would have been considered a reasonable trade off.
Since the virus failed to return that fall (see Deja Flu, All Over Again for my minor role in that story), the vaccine was considered a fiasco.
Sensational, and often false or misleading reporting - combined with pre-existing fears and beliefs of the public – are difficult obstacles for science and statistics to overcome.
Finding better, more convincing ways to reach the public on the importance of vaccination – in the face of a well entrenched Internet anti-vaccine movement – continues to be a major public health challenge.
