Survey: flu outbreak will not drive flu shots

FLU SHOTS CAN PREVENT the spread of the flu virus and stave off outbreaks, but fewer than half of survey respondents said last winter's outbreak will make them more likely to get a shot. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/TOM STARKWEATHER
FLU SHOTS CAN PREVENT the spread of the flu virus and stave off outbreaks, but fewer than half of survey respondents said last winter's outbreak will make them more likely to get a shot. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/TOM STARKWEATHER

WOONSOCKET – A CVS/pharmacy survey found that fewer than half of respondents were more likely to get a flu shot this year following the flu outbreak late last winter, the company announced Thursday.
At the same time, many said they consider getting a flu shot to keep their community healthy and minimize spread of the virus to be a social responsibility.
The survey found 46 percent were more likely to get a shot after last year’s outbreak, while 59 percent considered it a social responsibility.
“It is important for people to get the flu shot annually because it is the most effective way to prevent the spread of influenza to others and your immunity from the virus declines over time,” said Papatya Tankut, CVS Caremark vice president of pharmacy affairs, in a statement. “The results of our consumer survey demonstrate the heightened awareness among Americans to get vaccinated, and CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are two of the most convenient places to get a flu shot.”
The survey found convenience to be important, with 47 percent of respondents saying they find it inconvenient to make an appointment to get a shot.
More than 60 percent of respondents to the survey said they feel more susceptible to the flu while traveling, while nearly two in five said they are more likely to get a flu shot when an outbreak is reported in the news.
All CVS pharmacies and most MinuteClinic locations will begin offering flu shots this week, and all locations will have vaccines in stock by the end of August, the company said.

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