Surveys indicate perception that flu shot was ineffective

AORN Journal,  April, 2004  

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People who received flu shots before or during the winter of 2002-2003 did not perceive that the shots were effective in preventing influenza, according to two Wall Street Journal Online Health Care Polls conducted by Harris Interactive. The first poll was designed to measure how many people had tried but were unable to receive vaccinations, perceptions of the effectiveness of the shots, and attitudes about the availability and distribution of the vaccine. The second survey was conducted because of the finding in the first survey that respondents perceived no correlation between having had a flu shot and not becoming ill with the flu.

The first survey was repeated with the addition of two questions concerning whether those who claimed to have had the flu had spent one or more days in bed and whether a physician had diagnosed their flu. Results of the second survey confirmed that there is a perception that the flu vaccine used was not effective in preventing the flu.

Of 4,170 adults surveyed, 1,448 reported that they had received a flu shot, and, of those, 17% said they had gotten the flu. Of the 133 respondents who said they had both had a flu shot and had gotten the flu, 79% said they spent one or more days in bed, and 54% said a physician diagnosed their flu.

This research raises questions about whether the flu vaccine used was effective; however, there are additional factors that need to be considered, including that

* those who are most likely to get the flu are those who also are most likely to get a flu shot,

* many who claimed to have the flu may have had coughs or colds that they assumed were the flu,

* people's memories about whether they had had a flu shot 12 months earlier may not be complete[y reliable, and

* the vaccine used in the winter of 2002-2003 may have been uniquely ineffective, compared to vaccines used in other years..

"Two Surveys Suggest that Getting a Flu Shot Last Winter Was Not Perceived as Effective Prevention Against the Flu" The Wall Street Journal Online 4 (Jan 14, 2004) http:// www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters/health news/HI_HealthCareNews2004Vol4_Iss01.pdf (accessed 15 Jan 2004).

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