Who Says 'No' to the Flu Shot, and Why

And this year, despite a record number of flu doses on hand, many of us remain at risk. The RAND Internet-based survey of some 4,000 U.S. adults shows that:

• 53% have no intention of getting flu vaccine, and 17% say they haven't yet but plan to.
• 70% of healthy adults under age 50 have no intention of getting the vaccine; 16% say they plan to.
• 46% of adults for whom flu vaccination is strongly recommended -- those with underlying conditions, those over 50, or those in close contact with infants, the ill, or the elderly -- have no intention of getting the vaccine; 17% say they plan to.

And too many people with conditions that make them especially vulnerable to flu aren't getting the news:

• 52% of people with asthma have no intention of getting the flu vaccine.
• 30% of people with diabetes have no intention of getting the flu vaccine.
• 24% of people with heart disease have no intention of getting the flu vaccine.
• 21% of people with chronic lung disease have no intention of getting the flu vaccine.