An on-line survey conducted in September by Harris Poll on behalf of CityMD, an urgent care center network, revealed that 52% of adults aged 18 to 34 years of age have no intention of getting the flu shot this year. Interestingly, the number one reason for forgoing this vaccine is that the millennials polled expressed a lack of confidence in the flu shot actually preventing them from getting the flu. Other reasons expressed by those polled are as follows:
29% said they think the flu shot could make the sick
25% said they do not want to spend the money
23% don’t think they need it because they have never gotten the flu
4% do not know where to get the flu shot
These millennials are likely focusing on one issue seen with seasonal flu vaccines that are not typically seen in other vaccines which is the fact that coming up with an effective vaccine every year is seemingly a moving target. Flu viruses are constantly changing and every year, vaccine manufacturers have to make an educated projection as to what influenza strains are going to be most prevalent. In the 2015-2016 flu season, the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) reported that overall influenza vaccine effectiveness was 59 percent and some years the protection is far less, depending on how well matched the viral targets in the vaccine are to the viruses making people sick. While vaccine efficacy can vary season to season, the CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine as the best way to prevent seasonal flu. For the 2016-2017 season, manufacturers project they will provide between 157 million and 168 million doses of injectable vaccine for the U.S. market although these projections may change as the season progresses.
If you think you or someone you know has been injured by a vaccine, compensation for the injury may be available.