Treato survey: Consumers still skeptical regarding flu shots
NEW YORK - Consumers, particularly parents, remain highly skeptical of this year's flu shot despite the media's efforts to positively endorse this year's vaccine, according to a data analysis released Thursday by Treato and MediaMiser.
The co-analysis shows a disconnect between media and consumers: while media reports this season focused on the vaccine's efficacy compared to last year's, most commenters in online forums still held very deep reservations about side effects, mistrust of government vaccine recommendations and so-called "Big Pharma" profit motives. The media's positive push of the flu shot didn't seem to affect consumers' discussions online, either, as consumers didn't regularly source media articles within posts.
In fact, only 38% of consumers surveyed said they heard last year's flu shot was less effective than normal, and only 24% said the reason they didn't get the flu shot was because of efficacy concerns. The No. 1 reason surveyed consumers said they didn't get the flu shot this year was because they are concerned about side effects.
Additional findings from the report include:
Effectiveness was the most-mentioned issue in media coverage, followed by accessibility and children's related issues;
The doctor's office is still the location of choice to get the flu shot - 49% of those surveyed who got the flu shot went to see their doctor, followed by 19% at the pharmacy, 15% at place of employment and 11% at a health clinic;
There's little brand recognition among flu shot brands - 79% of those surveyed who got the flu shot this year didn't know the name of the vaccine they received;
Age is a driving factor in getting a flu shot - 50% of those surveyed who got the flu shot this year, but didn't last year, were over 55;
Those who get the flu shot are committed it to year after year - 71% of those surveyed who got the flu shot this year, also got the flu shot last year.
The Associated Press published the most articles about the flu shot, while California and Pennsylvania were the two states that featured the most coverage.
Treato analyzed more than 28,000 posts about flu vaccines from online health forums, with a specific focus on parenting forums. The results of Treato's survey are based on the responses of 717 Treato.com users polled from Dec. 10 through Dec. 17.
MediaMiser analyzed more than 4,500 online news and blog articles published between August and November of 2015 mentioning the flu shot/flu vaccine.