CVS/pharmacy survey shows lives impacted by flu

WOONSOCKET, R.I.  — CVS/pharmacy today announced the results of its July survey conducted by Harris Poll that sought patients’ thoughts on and experience with the flu. About 37% of the more than 2,000 respondents said that they had missed a life event because they had flu-like symptoms — either friendly get-togethers, family gatherings, or work. 

 

“No one wants to get sick with the flu, and getting sick is even worse when it causes us to miss an important life event such as a vacation, wedding, holiday gathering or a child's big sporting event or recital,” CVS/pharmacy’s VP pharmacy professional practices Tom Davis said. “The simple fact is that getting an annual flu shot is the best protection available against catching or spreading the flu.” 

 

There’s good news from the poll on the vaccination front. Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed said they plan to get vaccinated against the flu this year or do so every year. When it comes to reasoning, 65% said they get a flu shot because they know it’s the best way to prevent getting the flu, 26% said they get immunized because they don’t want to miss life events as a result of the flu. When it comes to getting a flu shot, convenience is a must for 38% of those polled. 

 

“It is recommended to get a flu shot as soon as the vaccine is available because it takes a couple of weeks for it to build immunity in order to provide you with the best protection before flu season peaks,” CVS Health SVP and CVS/minuteclinic’s chief medical officer Nancy Gagliano said. “You should also get vaccinated every year because influenza strains may change year to year and the vaccines are updated annually.”

 

To encourage customers to get their flu vaccine at CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic location, CVS/pharmacy is offering customers a 20% off shopping pass for non-pharmacy purchases up to $100. For seniors planning to get the flu shot —as 76% of those surveyed aged 65 years and up do — CVS offers high dose vaccines for that demographic, which is at greater risk of developing sever flu-related illnesses, the company said. 

 

See the infographic below for more insights from the survey.