Poll: 59% Likely to give Kids H1N1 Vaccine

As hospitals and clinics in the U.S. distribute the first batches of the new H1N1 vaccination, 59 percent of parents say they are likely to vaccinate their children, a new CBS News poll finds.

However, more than a third of parents say they are not likely to do so. Despite nearly three in four Americans viewing the H1N1 virus as a serious problem, less than half say they will get vaccinated themselves.

Read CBS News' Special Report on H1N1

In terms of getting vaccinated for the H1N1 flu (also known as the swine flu), 46 percent of Americans say they are likely to do so, including just 28 percent who are very likely to do so. Fifty-one percent say they are not very likely to be vaccinated - including a third who says they are not at all likely.

As for how serious Americans deem H1N1, perhaps because of the vaccine's availability the percentage who say the virus is a very serious problem is down slightly, from 28 percent in August to 21 percent today. Still, nearly three in four maintain the flu is at least somewhat serious.

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 829 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone October 5-8, 2009. Phone numbers were dialed from random digit dial samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher. The margin of error for the sample of parents with children under age 18 is six points.

This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

[hologram5]

My entire family has gotten sick with this lab created garbage and we were sick for about 5 days and recovered just fine. You don't need the shots. You DO need vitamin C, lots of fluids and lots of rest. Other than that, it is no worse than the normal flu.

[Midwestchristian]

I'm sure Swine flu is going to be an issue with some people, but this is being blown way out of porportion. I live in a state which has concerns for swine flu... i mean H1N1 whatever that means, but seriously it is not much worse then the usual flu. Just wash your hands and don't eat or lick anything unusual and you'll be fine. If you get sick get some rest that's all.

[smoknmirrors]

Thinning the herd by a third can't be all bad.

[stuart-johns2]

LOL I notice Glen Beck lastnight devoted his whole show to this subject. He said he was'nt going to take it. Limbaugh said he was'nt going to take it because the "government" was telling him he should.

And suddenly, this morning the pollls showing the percentage of adults that are going to get themselves and their children vaccinated shot up (no pun intended)!

Yeppers. America has awaken to the sheer silliness of these two entertainers.

[DaVicar8]

I think it's a great idea to give this koolaid to kids first. That way, if it proves to be safe, adults can take it without fear.

[briannorwood]

Maybe you didn't hear the news. The H1N1 virus is more likely to affect children because they have not been exposed to this type of virus before. Ergo, that places them in a higher risk group.

Hopefully, the coming flu season will not be as serious as could be. There are no guarantees where the influenza virus is concerned. However, any parent would have to be a complete idiot not to take advantage of this vaccine for their children.

[briannorwood]

anti-global2:

Perhaps you might want to do a little research on your pediatrician as well as on the virus and the vaccine itself.

As you probably know, the general flu vaccine is a hit or miss proposition with regard to efficacy. That is because of the fast mutation of viruses, researchers have to guess based on last year's virus, what this years virus is likely to look like.

Not so with the H1N1. In this case, they can target the vaccine much more accuratly. And so, the results are expected to be much better.

Now, it is true that all vaccinations carry some risk of side-effects. However, in nearly all cases these are mild, and the benefits of getting the vaccine far outweigh the risks.

Now, as a parent, you can focus on these possible side-effects, or do nothing. But trust me, if your 3 year old get's a bad case of the flu, you will be very sorry.

I know. I almost lost my first-born to the flu in 1988. Wasn't much fun watching him with IV's hooked up to his head. That night, five infants were admitted, four came out alive.