Tuesday, December 8, 2009

A Question for 51% of American Workers

A report on flu by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued in late October 2009 has some sobering facts on flu in America. Seasonal flu reportedly kills about 36,000 Americans, hospitalizes more than 200,000 individuals, and costs the U.S. economy more than $10 billion in lost productivity and direct medical expenses annually. A recent online survey focuses on the workplace. It found: - 69 percent of workers had not received workplace communications about flu policies through September 2009, - 84 percent of workers said the recession creates more pressure to show up for work even if ill, - 80 percent of workers reported they feel knowledgeable about precautions to take if flu were to hit their workplace, - 47 percent of workers said they would still engage in public activities (e.g., bus riding, shopping, etc.) if hit by the flu, and - 49 percent of workers plan to get vaccinated if a vaccine is available. What is so startling about these statistics is that ostensibly 51 percent of American workers do not plan to get vaccinated if a vaccine is available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in late October 2009 that the H1N1 flu has resulted in more than 4,000 deaths nationwide so far this year. (Information and analysis is available from www.factcheck.org.) So our question is, “What do 51 percent of the American workforce know about the vaccine that the rest of us don’t know?” Even though the availability of the vaccine will be greater for those of us who do want it, we are acutely interested in what those who will not take it if available know that we all should know. Please help us to understand this phenomenon. Have you taken the flu vaccine? Why or why not?