Flu Vaccine Demand Outpaces Supply, Leaving Millions Vulnerable to Flu

A recent poll conducted by the Wall Street Journal Online and Harris Interactive has revealed that while most people in the US are concerned about getting the flu, the demand for flu vaccines has outpaced supply, leaving millions of people exposed to the risk of infection. Despite the increased awareness and public information campaigns encouraging people to get vaccinated, many individuals and families have been unable to secure flu shots for themselves and their children. According to Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll, "This is a multifaceted portrait of the public on flu and flu vaccine. Most people think that flu vaccine is really pretty good and that has helped to increase the demand. However, a bigger story is that many millions of people have tried, and, for whatever reasons, failed to get flu vaccine shots for themselves and their children this year."

Key Takeaways:

• The Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll found that 72% of Americans were concerned about getting the flu, but many were unable to secure flu shots due to high demand and limited supply.
• The poll revealed that 1 in 5 adults reported trying to get vaccinated, but failing to do so, highlighting the significant gap between demand and supply for flu vaccines.
• Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll, notes that public information campaigns urging people to get vaccinated have increased demand, but have not kept pace with supply, leaving millions at risk of flu infection.
• The study was conducted online between December 18 and 22, 2003, among a nationwide cross-section of 1,792 adults, aged 18 years and over.
• The methodology used propensity score weighting to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online, and the study had a statistical precision of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Statistics:

• 72% of Americans were concerned about getting the flu, amidst high demand and limited supply for flu vaccines.
• 1 in 5 adults (21%) reported trying to get vaccinated, but failing to do so.
• 95% of respondents reported that they believed flu vaccine was "pretty good" at preventing flu infection, leading to increased demand.
• The study had a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Sources:

• Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll, conducted online between December 18 and 22, 2003.
• Harris Interactive(R) statement of methodology, citing the use of propensity score weighting and a nationwide cross-section of 1,792 adults.
• The National Council on Public Polls' principles of disclosure for online polling studies.