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Flu myths deter some from getting shot

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Common misconceptions about influenza and the flu vaccine may be preventing people from getting vaccinated, a new survey has found.

The survey, released Wednesday by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, found that less than half -- about 48 percent -- of the 1,014 adults who responded to the survey plan to get vaccinated.

One of the most common misperceptions, shared by 46 percent of those surveyed, was that the flu vaccination could cause the flu. But the truth is, the flu vaccine is made of a killed flu virus so it is impossible to get the flu from the shot.

FluMist, the nasal spray flu vaccine, is made from a live flu virus that has been weakened to the point that it is unlikely that someone taking that vaccine will become infected.

Forty-three percent of those surveyed do not think the flu is serious enough to make vaccination necessary.

But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is responsible for 36,000 deaths in the United States every year and 200,000 hospitalizations. The elderly and young children are usually hit the hardest.

Because the flu strain changes every year, it is necessary to be immunized with a newly designed vaccine every season. But 15 percent of those surveyed believe that once vaccinated, they are protected year after year.

According to the CDC, people over the age of 65, those with chronic diseases such as diabetes or asthma, children between the ages of six months and five years, and caregivers for children or seniors should be vaccinated against the flu.

Public health officials say about 75 million flu vaccines will be available around the end of October. Flu season usually peaks between late December and March.

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