Posted on the Pediatric SuperSite on November 6, 2009
Poll: Many high-risk patients unable to get H1N1 vaccine
A new national poll of more than 1,000 people found that
most adults who tried to get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves or their children
— about 70% — have been unable to do so.
The poll is the fifth in a series of surveys of public
views concerning the H1N1 flu outbreak undertaken by the Harvard Opinion
Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health. The polling was done
Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 2009.
Since the H1N1 flu vaccine became available in October,
17% of American adults, 41% of parents, and 21% of high-priority adults have
tried to get it, according to the results. Among adults who tried to get it for
themselves, 70% were unable to get the vaccine. Among parents who tried to get
the H1N1 vaccine for their children, 66% were unable to get the vaccine. Among
high priority adults who tried to get the H1N1 vaccine, 66% were unable to get
it. One-third of those surveyed said they were “very frustrated”
about not
being able to get the vaccine, but most said they will try again.
About half of the people surveyed were not able to find
information about the location of available H1N1 flu vaccine.
“These findings suggest that the nationwide H1N1
vaccine shortage is presenting a real challenge for those who have tried to get
the vaccine,” Robert J. Blendon, Professor of Health Policy and
Political Analysis at HSPH, who co-directed the poll, said in a press release.
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