Public Less Concerned About H1N1

(February 8, 2010) - It was less than a year ago that H1N1 burst onto the scene. (Read about "Influenza") The disease spread across the globe and was declared the first pandemic of the 21st century. Now it appears that many people feel the danger has passed.

A new poll shows that almost half of Americans believe the H1N1 flu outbreak is over (44 percent), and levels of concern about getting sick with the virus continue to decline. Few (18 percent) think it is "very likely" there will be another widespread outbreak of the H1N1 virus in the U.S. during the next 12 months, although a larger share of the population (43 percent) does say such an outbreak is "somewhat likely." After an initial period of vaccine shortage, 70 percent of adults said there is now enough vaccine in their community for everyone who wants it.

At this point, more than half of parents (53 percent) either got the vaccine for their children (40 percent) or intend to get it before the end of February 2010 (13 percent). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had identified children as a priority group for the vaccine. Among adults, 37 percent either got the H1N1 vaccine for themselves (21 percent) or intend to do so before February ends (16 percent). If perceptions that the outbreak is over spread, those who now say they intend to get the vaccine may ultimately decide not to. The poll also revealed a substantial share of adults who said they have not gotten the vaccine and do not intend to (61 percent).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting that flu cases have dropped off, but warn that the regular seasonal flu season hasn't gotten rolling yet and the H1N1 virus surfaced originally in the spring.