Healthgrades launches Cold and Flu Center information resource for consumers

DENVER — Healthgrades on Monday announced the launch of its new Cold and Flu Center at http://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/cold-and-flu/, designed to provide consumers with actionable information to stay healthy this fall. The launch coincides with the release of a new Healthgrades study that finds that there is a significant gap in consumer understanding of the importance of flu shots, as well as a lack of awareness of the different flu vaccine options.

 

The survey finds that one in three (34%) Americans do not intend to get a flu shot. Among respondents who do not intend to receive a flu vaccine, more than two-thirds (69%) will not get one because they do not think they need one or prefer not to get vaccines altogether. Furthermore, 70% of consumers will not request a specific form of the flu vaccine like a nasal spray or traditional shot.  

 

Among respondents who do intend to receive a flu shot, 37% plan to do so in their doctor’s office and 39% plan to do so in their workplace with only 22% of consumers opting to get a flu shot at their pharmacy or drug store. Overwhelmingly, 91% of these consumers say that they plan ahead for their flu shot and two-thirds (68%) plan to get their shot during the month of October.

 

“Each year as many as one in five Americans get the flu,” said Brad Graner, president, publisher and advertising solutions, Healthgrades. “Despite their ubiquity and the CDC’s recommendations, our research showed that there is still room for the industry to educate consumers on these topics.”

 

At the Healthgrades Cold and Flu Center, content on topics ranging from understanding guidelines on who should get a flu shot to debunking myths about the common cold is combined with interactive tools, as well as the ability to search for a local practitioner to obtain a flu shot or treat a cold.