U.S. Physicians Believe Flu Vaccine Shortage is Crisis Situation; Vast Majority Report Difficulty in Obtaining Adequate Quantities

FLEMINGTON, N.J. -- Results of a new national survey of physicians confirm that an overwhelming majority of U.S. physicians believe that the current flu vaccine shortage is a crisis situation.

The national e-survey was conducted by Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) and HCD Research from October 19-20 among a nationally representative sample of 600 primary care physicians.

"We conducted the national survey to obtain physicians' assessment of the current flu vaccine shortage and gauge the seriousness of the situation," noted Glenn Kessler, co-founder and managing partner, HCD Research. "Our results indicate that not only do nearly all physicians view this as a crisis situation, almost half believe that it is serious or significant in nature," explained Kessler.

Among the findings:

-- Nearly all physicians (95 percent) consider the current flu vaccine shortage a crisis situation, with 40 percent describing it as "serious" or "significant."

-- Approximately 60 percent report that patients who normally do not ask for the flu shot are requesting the flu vaccination at this time.

-- A vast majority of physicians (74 percent) reported that it was difficult to obtain adequate quantities of vaccine for patients who meet the recommended guidelines for administration of the vaccine.

Source: HCD Research