Be Prepared: More Patients Say They’re Getting a Flu Shot this Year

Maybe all the headlines about how bad the 2017–2018 flu season was will end up having a bright side. According to a just-released survey from urgent care chain CityMD, 57% of Americans say they’ll get a flu shot this year, compared with only 51% who did so in 2016. While that reflects patients in all age groups, the best news might be that those 65 years of age and older make up the largest segment who are committed to influenza immunization this year (66%, vs 55% for those aged 18-64). Seniors are among those most at risk for severe complications of the flu, including death. While more of those who are 18 to 34 years of age say they’ll get a flu shot this year than did 2 years ago (54% vs 42%), if history is any indication the youngest in that cohort may be the least likely to get a shot. A National Foundation of Infectious Diseases report from 2016 shows vaccination rates among college students were anywhere from 8% to 39% that year. For urgent care clinicians, the task is the same either way: Ask about every patient’s flu vaccination status. If they haven’t been immunized, offer to remedy that situation on the spot. If they object to the flu shot in general, ask why—and if they’re reasoning is full of holes, respectfully try to set them straight for their own good and for the health of those around them.