Even with early shortages, public is conflicted about getting the swine flu vaccine

A federal health official downplays risks from swine flu vaccine while the demand for the vaccine causes shortages. The Seattle Times/Associated Press reports: "Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says she's surprised by all the misinformation going around about the new vaccine. She says a good safety record from past vaccines bodes well for the swine flu vaccine now becoming available" and noted on CNN's State of the Union that the risks of not getting vaccinated are far greater than the risks of getting the vaccine (10/11).

CBS News reports on mixed feelings about the vaccine: "While millions of doses are being distributed, spot shortages of the H1N1 flu vaccine are being reported, and Americans remain divided over whether to get it. In a new CBS News poll, more than half say they're unlikely to be vaccinated, but almost 60 percent of parents say they're likely to have their children vaccinated. ... (The CDC) says 6.8 million doses of vaccine are available, but states, so far, have only placed orders for 3.7 million. Public officials promise there will be enough for everyone, but it will take time." Health officials report that 76 children and teenagers have died from the H1N1 virus this year. (Pinkston, 10/11).

---

This article was reprinted from khn.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.