After Severe Flu 2017 Season, More Americans Planning to Get Their Flu Shots

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Last year’s flu season was one of the worst influenza seasons in recent decades. With numerous illnesses and deaths on record in 2017, more Americans are taking defense this year and planning to get their vaccines. According to a survey by CityMD, the leading urgent care provider in the New York metro area, 57 percent of Americans are planning to get a flu shot this year, an increase in this preventative method compared to two years ago (51 percent).

The online survey was fielded by The Harris Poll between August 23-27, 2018, polling 2,023 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

A larger proportion of nearly all age groups are planning to get their flu shot this year, compared to those who planned to in 2016. Additionally, Americans aged 65 and older are leading the charge – they are more likely than their younger counterparts to plan to get one this year (66% vs. 55% aged 18-64).

Younger generations (ages 18-34) who are planning to get their flu shot increased from 42 percent in 2016 to 54 percent in 2018.

Percentage planning to get a flu shot (by age)

• 54 percent of Americans ages 18-34 in 2018; compared to 42 percent in 2016
• 59 percent of Americans ages 35-44 in 2018; compared to 47 percent in 2016
• 58 percent of Americans ages 45-54 in 2018; compared to 47 percent in 2016
• 49 percent of Americans ages 55-64 in 2018; compared to 58 percent in 2016
• 66 percent of Americans ages 65 and older in 2018; compared to 64 percent in 2016

“People saw the harshness of last year’s flu season, and the data shows that people are not taking chances this year,” says Frank Illuzzi, MD, CPE, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer of CityMD. “The single, most important preventative measure to avoid the full harshness of influenza is to get a flu shot. It’s a simple, fast and affordable shield from a preventable illness.”

Parents Encouraging Preventative Vaccine

Those who are parents of children under 18 years old are more likely to plan to get their flu vaccines than those who are not (62 percent vs. 55 percent, respectively).

Percentage planning to get a flu shot (indication of parent of child under 18)

• 62 percent of Americans indicating that they are a parent of a child under 18
• 55 percent of Americans indicating that they are not a parent of a child under 18

Flu Shots Propensity Dependent on Socioeconomic Status

The survey found that the likelihood for those planning to get a flu shot steadily increases with higher socioeconomical status across education and household income.

“Affordability and access should not be roadblocks to getting quality medical care, including an annual flu shot. As part of our vision to build healthier, kinder communities, we’re opening our sites in more impoverished areas just as we would in affluent neighborhoods,” says Richard Park, MD, CEO of CityMD. “We are here to provide quality medical care and access to all members of our community and urge anyone who can to get an immunization this season to protect themselves and others in their neighborhoods.”

Percentage planning to get a flu shot (by education)

• 52 percent of Americans with their education level at high school or less
• 54 percent of Americans with their education level at some college
• 67 percent of Americans with their education level at college grad or more

Percentage planning to get a flu shot (by household income)

• 45 percent of Americans reporting less than $25,000 HHI
• 49 percent of Americans reporting between $25,000-$34,999.99 HHI
• 54 percent of Americans reporting between $35,000-$49,999.99 HHI
• 61 percent of Americans reporting between $50,000-$74,999.99 HHI
• 61 percent of Americans reporting between $75,000-$99,999.99 HHI
• 63 percent of Americans reporting $100,000 or more HHI

For CityMD’s recommendations on planning for the 2018 influenza season, visit CityMD.com.

Survey Methodology
The surveys were conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of CityMD. The 2018 survey was conducted from August 23-27, 2018 among 2,023 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The 2016 survey was conducted from September 13-15, 2016 among 2,080 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, among whom 859 did not plan to get a flu shot in 2016. These online surveys are not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodologies, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact lvinci@gscommunications.com.

About CityMD
Founded in 2010 by a passionate group of emergency medicine physicians, CityMD‘s mission is to serve its communities by providing an exceptional experience through high-quality medical care and convenient access. The company’s unwavering commitment to treating everyone with respect and genuine kindness while offering exceptional services and a cost-effective alternative to the ER, has enabled CityMD to grow from one Manhattan practice to more than 100 locations in the greater New York metro area and Seattle, Washington. To date, CityMD has treated over 5 million patients.

For more information about CityMD and a list of locations, please visit CityMD.com.

Follow CityMD on Facebook facebook.com/CityMD, Twitter @CityMD and Instagram @CityMD.

Laura Vinci
G&S Business Communications for CityMD
lvinci@gscommunications.com
917-595-3095

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SOURCE CityMD