With immunization programs against the H1N1 influenza virus now under way in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, a new poll by Angus Reid Strategies has found that many people in the three countries do not plan to get the vaccine at all.

In the online survey of representative national samples in each one of the three countries, 36 per cent of Canadians, 26 per cent of Americans, and 20 per cent of Britons say that they are planning on being immunized against the virus, also known as Swine Flu.

Conversely, 39 per cent of Canadians, 51 per cent of Americans, and 50 per cent of Britons are not planning on getting the vaccine at all. At least one-in-four respondents in the three countries have not made up their minds yet.

A lack of confidence in the product is the main reason to avoid the vaccine for Canadians (55%), followed by not being worried about contracting the virus (32%).

In the U.S., the main reason for people deciding against taking the immunization is also lack of trust in the vaccine (46%), followed by not being concerned about getting Swine Flu (37%).

In the UK, however, respondents are more likely to say they are not worried about getting the H1N1 flu (50%), while the second reason is lack of confidence in the vaccine (28%). Remarkably, British respondents are also more likely than others to say that they know someone who has contracted the H1N1.

While many people may not be thinking of getting immunized against the H1N1 virus, a significant number is planning on recommending others to take the vaccine. Two-in-five Canadians (41%) would advise friends and family to take the vaccine, and similar proportions of Americans (40%) and Britons (37%) would do the same.

Friends, Family and Co-workers Infected

A fifth of British respondents (20%) claim to have a family member or close friend who has contracted Swine Flu, 28 per cent say that someone they work with got it, and 24 per cent know of an acquaintance who got sick. Fewer Britons (13%) have heard of a person who works with someone in their own household getting this flu, while six per cent say they personally got the flu.

The proportion of Britons who claim to know people who have been infected with H1N1 is much larger than the proportion of Americans and Canadians who say the same. In Canada, 10 per cent of respondents say a co-worker was infected, and the same number cite an acquaintance. Less than 10 per cent speak of co-workers of someone living in their household, or a family member or close friend having this flu. Two per cent say they have had Swine Flu.

In the U.S., 12 per cent of respondents say the virus has hit a relative or a close friend, the same number speaks of a co-worker being infected, and less than ten per cent can think of anyone in the other categories. Four per cent say they have been through the flu themselves.

Worried About Swine Flu

A significant proportion of Canadians (38%) say that they worry about the H1N1 virus affecting them of their family at least once a day. Slightly more Americans (40%) feel the same way, while a decidedly lower proportion of Britons (21%) worry about this once a week or more.

Preparedness

Overall, respondents in the three countries give good marks to themselves, governments and organizations for their handling of the H1N1 outbreak.

In Canada, 68 per cent of respondents are satisfied with their family’s preparedness for Swine Flu. A majority of respondents—between 51 per cent and 56 per cent—also express satisfaction with the actions of the World Health Organization (WHO), their family doctor, the federal government, and their provincial government. Those employed in an office outside their own home are also content with the preparedness of their employer, and those who have children attending school are satisfied with the way the educational institution has handled the issue.

In the U.S., 70 per cent of respondents praise their family’s preparedness for the Swine Flu outbreak. A majority is also satisfied with the work done by their children’s school (60%), their family doctor (59%), and their employer (52%). But less than half of Americans are satisfied with the preparedness of the WHO (41%), their state’s government (39%), and the federal government (36%).

Respondents in the UK express a high level of satisfaction for their family’s preparedness to combat the virus (72%), and also give high marks to their family doctor (62%), and the WHO (62%). A majority of Britons—between 52 and 56 per cent—are also satisfied with the work done by their child’s school, their employer, and the government.

Analysis

At the time this survey was being conducted, the Canadian government was urging the public to get the vaccine, and the U.S. government declared the Swine Flu outbreak as a state of emergency. The low proportion of respondents in these two countries who plan to be immunized against the virus shows that the population is not entirely confident in the vaccine’s effectiveness.

CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+44 203 178 3952
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs
+1 604 647 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com