Poll: One Out Of Three Adults Won't Get Flu Shot
DETROIT (WWJ) - One out of three U.S. adults plan to skip their flu shot this year, according to an Opinion Research/Select Medical telephone poll.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older be immunized. According to the American Lung Association, between 15 and 60 million Americans suffer from influenza in an average year and more than 250,000 patients are hospitalized.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. The 2011-2012 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus and an influenza B virus.
Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness. People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people.
There are several locations in the Metro Detroit area that are offering flu shots at a discounted price. Click here to find a location.
The Select Medical/Opinion Research Poll surveyed 1,005 adults by telephone October 6-9.
