A new survey of approximately 4,000 American adults reveals that fewer than one-third have been vaccinated against the flu this season. Health officials say that number is way too low.
"This information is extremely relevant and timely considering influenza activity usually peaks in February and the complications can be devastating and even fatal," said William Schaffner, MD, President-Elect, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). "This current rate of influenza vaccination is sadly too low, but there is still time to do better this season. It's a matter of both personal protection and public health."
From 1990-1999, the flu and its complications have caused an average of approximately 36,000 deaths per year. During the 1979-2001 period it caused more than 200,000 hospitalizations per year. Most of the deaths occurred in people 65 years of age and older.
The CDC has stated that influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing flu and its complications, which have the potential to be severe.
"Manufacturers are providing more influenza vaccine doses than ever before, however myths about influenza vaccination continue to be a main barrier to immunization," said Schaffner.
Key survey findings
Several common misperceptions about flu are cited as the reasons for not being vaccinated, including the sentiment that influenza immunization is unnecessary, lack of belief in influenza vaccines in general, and concerns that vaccination will cause sickness or adverse events.
Of the fraction of adults who still intend to be vaccinated this season (16.6 percent), the majority (41.1 percent) cited lack of time as the reason for the delay. From a geographical perspective, vaccination rates were comparable across all regions of the U.S. Approximately one-third of white adults (32.3 percent) and one quarter of black and Hispanic adults (24.9 and 22.7 percent, respectively) have been vaccinated.
More than fifty percent of all adults who are living with chronic diseases have not received a flu shot.
Interestingly, only one-third of adults with asthma (32.8 percent) had been vaccinated, while approximately one-half of adults with diabetes (52.3 percent) and heart disease (52.3 percent), and nearly two-thirds of adults with chronic lung disease (62.9 percent) have already been vaccinated against the flu. While approximately one-third (29.5 percent) of healthcare workers or caregivers polled had been vaccinated, only 12.7 percent indicated that they plan to be.
Flu shot recommendations
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends annual influenza vaccination for any adult who wants to reduce the risk for becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting it to others. Vaccination also is recommended for all adults in the following groups, because these persons are either at high risk for influenza complications, or are close contacts of persons at higher risk:
• People aged 50 years;
• Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
• Those who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
• Individuals who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus);
• People who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration;
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities;
• Health care personnel;
• Household contacts and caregivers of children aged less than 5 years and adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged 6 months;
• Household contacts and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe complications from influenza.
