Government Should Provide Flu Vaccine to All, Majority Believe
Most people believe that the government should make the flu vaccine available to all citizens who want it, thought most people also think the vaccine should be used for those most in need, according to a new survey conducted by morefocus, an online research organization.
Carlsbad, Calif. (PRWEB) November 7, 2006 -- A large majority of people believe that the flu vaccine should be made available to anyone who wants it, according to a new survey conducted by morefocus, an online research organization.
Eighty-four percent of the more than 2,500 people surveyed said the government should make the flu vaccine available to all citizens who want it, although the survey also revealed that most people think the flu vaccine should be used for those most in need. Sixty-four percent of respondents said that when there is a flu shortage, it's morally wrong to get a flu shot if you're not in a "high-risk" group.
Those considered to be high-risk for flu infection range from any child between six months and two years old, to adults 65 years old and older, to health-care workers with direct patient care, among others.
Additionally, 71 percent of those surveyed agreed that it's important for countries to provide their own flu vaccine instead of relying on other countries to provide it. The survey was conducted after a flu vaccine shortage was experienced in the United States in part because of problems at a British drug manufacturing company that was supplying the vaccine.
An overwhelming majority of people had strong feelings against wholesalers who sell the flu vaccine for up to ten times the normal price, with 92 percent saying that the practice is price-gouging and morally wrong. Additionally, 83 percent believe the government should intervene to stop this practice.
"The research showed some interesting contradictions when it comes to how the government should handle different flu vaccine issues," said Dr. Regan Carey, morefocus Research Director. "On the one hand, people believe the government shouldn't decide who does or does not get the vaccine, yet they want the government to get involved when it most directly affects them, when it hits their own wallets."
The survey also explored people's opinions about the flu vaccine itself. Seventy-five percent of those surveyed said they do believe that receiving a flu shot can prevent a person from getting the flu infection, yet only 36 percent said they actually received a flu shot that flu season.
When asked why they didn't receive a flu shot, 33 percent said they were not considered "high-risk," and almost as many, 29 percent, said they didn't get a flu shot because they're healthy and didn't believe they needed one. Some ten percent of respondents said they think the flu vaccine doesn't work, while almost as many, eight percent, didn't have a flu shot because they said it would make them sick. Only four percent said it was because they couldn't afford it.
"It was interesting to see the number of people who think they don't need a flu shot, when in reality anyone can get the flu, no matter how healthy they are," said Dr. Carey. "It's admirable to let those who are high-risk get a flu shot first, but just because you don't fit into that category doesn't mean you don't need one."
The morefocus survey was commissioned by the publication Immunization-and-Vaccinations.com. Further information and summary results of the survey are available on request from morefocus.
About morefocus group inc.
San Diego- and London-based morefocus group inc., builds and maintains high-traffic networks across multiple verticals. Independently, or together with its domain-owning clients, the Company owns or controls a leading independent healthcare and lifestyle network controlled by a suite of proprietary publishing, ad-serving, analytics and behavioral monitoring applications. The publications and software applications are applied to build engaged traffic, recruit, sample and manage registered consumers, and build marketing ROI for major healthcare and consumer marketing corporations.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Luke Pilon
morefocus group inc.
800-549-3904
###
Post Comment:
Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/Q291cC1FbXB0LUZhbHUtUGlnZy1NYWduLVplcm8=
Bookmark -
Del.icio.us |
Furl It |
Technorati |
Ask |
MyWeb |
Propeller |
Live Bookmarks |
Newsvine |
TailRank |
Reddit |
Slashdot |
Digg |
Stumbleupon |
Google Bookmarks |
Sphere |
Blink It |
Spurl
|
