Less than one third say they will definitely get H1N1 shot
Steve Watson
Monday, Oct 26, 2009
The people of China are the latest to reject the H1N1 vaccine, according to results of national poll there indicating that concern over the vaccine’s safety outweighs concern over the virus itself.
The poll, conducted by China Daily and news website sohu.com found that only 30% of 2,000 respondents said they would definitely get the shot.
Over 54% of the respondents rejected the vaccine outright, meaning that 702 000 000 people will refuse to roll up their sleeves and take the shot.
The survey indicates a seismic shift in popular opinion from just two months ago, when 76% of people in China indicated that they would opt for inoculation.
The primary reason for the turnaround, according to the survey results, is a general worry over the quality and reliability of the vaccine, given that it has been fastracked and is based on “mock up vaccines” that are up to two years old.
Just two deaths resulting from H1N1 flu have been confirmed in China, according to the health ministry.
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