In a previous post, I discussed the findings of a new report that related to dealing with the H1N1 (previously known as Swine Flu) virus and concluded that core areas of public health preparedness are still severely lacking. However, even as the H1N1 vaccine has become widely available, a large percentage of Americans report that they do not intend to get the vaccine for their children or for themselves. These findings were reported in a new poll conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health on December 16th–17th.

Specifically, 35% of American parents said that they do not intend to get the vaccine for their children. Sixty percent of these parents reported safety concerns as the major reason for their decision. Other reasons were also cited:

• 28% said that the outbreak is not as serious as once thought
• 25% said that they don’t believe their child is at risk for a serious case
• 24% said that they believe they can get medication to treat H1N1 if their child does get ill

In addition, 55% of all adults reported they do not intend to get the vaccine for themselves.

Overall, Americans are less concerned about the disease than they were two months ago. For example, 52% of people interviewed in September said they were concerned that they or someone in their immediate family may become sick from H1N1 during the next 12 months; only 40% of people interviewed in December said the same.

Additionally, more parents who are trying to get the vaccine for their children were able to do so in December. In November, only 34% of parents who tried to get the vaccine for their children were able to get it. That percentage jumped to 74% in December.

More adults are also getting the vaccine. While only 5% of all adults got the vaccine in November, about 14% reported getting it in December, with an additional 27% intending to get it soon.