… As of this November, the majority of American adults – 64.8 percent, to be exact – had not received a flu immunization. This wasn’t a surprise to researchers: Flu is a disease with one the lowest vaccination rates. …
Why are flu vaccination rates so low? Lori Uscher-Pines, a policy researcher at the RAND Corp., estimates that part of the issue has to do with no consequences for not getting vaccinated (well, except for coming down with the flu). …
Americans also tend to have negative perceptions about the flu vaccine. A study Uscher-Pines did in 2011 found that about half of those who did not get vaccinated agreed with statements such as “I don’t need it” or “I don’t believe in flu vaccines.” [cont.]
Sarah Kliff, Washington Post