New figures have revealed that more than half of US adults have no intention of getting vaccinated against the flu this season.
Results of the RAND Internet-based survey of approximately 4,000 U.S. adults revealed that 53% of adults have no intention of getting the flu vaccine, whilst 17% say they have not been to get their vaccine yet but plan to in the near future. In adults aged 50 and under the uptake is even lower, with 70% of those under the age of 50 saying that they do not intend to get the vaccine.
More worryingly, 46% of adults who are particularly vulnerable to flu – those aged 50 and over, pregnant women, and those with underlying conditions, such as asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and diabetes – said that they did not plan on getting vaccinated this year, however 17% said they are planning to.
The CDC recommends that people get the flu vaccine as soon as possible after it becomes available each year, as the protection it confers will last throughout the flu season.
Got the Flu Shot? Half Say ‘No’. WebMD.com December 10th 2008.
