Nearly one in five Australians will not get the flu shot this year, because they incorrectly believe it will give them the flu according to the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Health Index released today.1

The latest GSK Health Index surveyed 1006 Australians investigating their attitudes and behaviours regarding flu and found Australians are not only skipping the shot because they incorrectly think they can get the flu from it, but 40% don’t see it as a priority, and 38% don’t believe in the flu shot.

“This is one of the most common myths associated with the flu shot,” said Dr Camilla Chong, Medical Director at GSK. “The fact is you cannot get influenza from the flu shot because the virus contained in it cannot cause infection.2”

References
1. Online market research conducted by Pure Profile on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline among n= 1006. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative population sample of man and women 18 years of age and over.
2. Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (see http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/protect/keyfacts.htm)