Most Hongkongers are not getting flu shots despite a high
prevalence of the disease in the region, a survey has shown.
Most avoid the shots because of misconceptions about flu, its
vaccine or costs.
A survey conducted last month by non-governmental organization
Health Link Promotions Ltd of 500 working adults showed more than
70 percent of respondents had had influenza in the past year.
Despite the high number of infected, only half of the
respondents considered a vaccine effective against flu.
About 70 percent did not get a flu shot in the past year.
Reasons cited include "not wanting to spend money" (44.5 percent
of those polled), "no information on when to get a shot" (29.6
percent) and "vaccine has no efficacy" (26 percent).
Close to 30 percent believed the chance of getting flu in warm
weather was lower than in winter.
Family doctor Betty Kwan Ka-mei said the survey showed
Hongkongers had a poor understanding of influenza prevention.
"It's wrong to assume that we stand a lower chance of getting
influenza when it is warm," she said.
Hong Kong has seen flu outbreaks in summer, said Kwan, because
the city is crowded and frequent air-conditioning keeps air
circulation poor.
There is also a misconception that it is best to get a flu shot
at the peak of an outbreak, said the doctor.
People should get a shot in summer as the vaccine could offer
year-round protection, she added.
Kwan said flu rates have already peaked this month and urged
people to get a shot as soon as possible to protect themselves and
their families.
Raymond Woo, a 34-year-old deputy editor of a magazine, caught
the flu at the end of last year after missing out on the chance for
a flu shot.
"I was not aware...I did not know when I should get a shot," he
said.
He felt so weak at work from the flu that his colleague had to
send him home.
He will be getting a flu shot this year.
Health Link Promotions director Maggie Ng said influenza could
create huge economic losses.
(China Daily November 14, 2007)