Anxiety over H1N1 on the rise
Anxiety over a potential H1N1 epidemic is rising, as a
majority of Americans believe the virus is a serious health hazard, according
to a new survey.
About 58 percent of Americans think that the swine flu
poses a serious threat to their health, according to the survey from
Burlington, Mass.-based Silverlink Communications Inc., a health care
communications firm.
The results mark an increase compared to May 2009,
when about 47 percent of Americans considered the swine flu to be a serious
health threat.
Still, only about 31 percent of Americans plan on
getting the H1N1 flu vaccine this year, citing the safety and efficacy of the
vaccine as primary barriers for not getting the shot, according to the survey.
Silverlink’s H1N1 survey was conducted online in September
and included 1,502 adults.
“We are entering a critical phase of the H1N1 flu
season with schools now back in session and with the availability of the
vaccine only a few weeks away,” said Jan Berger, chief medical officer at
Silverlink, in a statement. “Providing comprehensive, up-to-date information to
all Americans about the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines, how to prevent the
spread of the flu, what to do if you or a family member becomes symptomatic,
and then communicating that information effectively, are the critical factors
to minimizing our country’s health risks this flu season. Also, extra care
should be taken to communicate with high-risk groups since those groups are
different for the seasonal and H1N1 flu which could cause confusion as to who
should get the vaccine.”
Source: boston.bizjournals.com