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Americans, Britons Decline Swine Flu Shot
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in the United States and Britain will forego inoculation against the H1N1 influenza, according to a three-country poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 51 per cent of Americans, and 50 per cent of Britons, do not plan to be immunized against the Swine Flu.
In Canada, 36 per cent of respondents plan to get vaccinated, while 39 per cent do not.
In April, Mexico was greatly affected by an outbreak of H1N1 influenza, also referred to as Swine Flu. In early June, as the virus spread throughout the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the outbreak as a pandemic, while also noting that most illnesses reported were of "moderate severity."
At least 1,249 people have died in the U.S. as a result of the outbreak of H1N1 influenza, as well as 130 in Britain and 86 in Canada.
On Oct. 24, U.S. president Barack Obama declared the Swine Flu outbreak as a national emergency. An official statement read: "The H1N1 epidemic is moving rapidly. By the time regions or health care systems recognize they are becoming overburdened, they need to implement disaster plans quickly."
On Oct. 25, Canadian health minister Leona Aglukkaq urged Canadians to "get the vaccine to stop the pandemic," adding, "One of the things that we can do as individuals is get the vaccine to prevent yourself from getting ill. Not only that, but your children and everyone else around you. Not getting the vaccine—there’s huge risk to that."
Polling Data
Are you planning on being immunized against the Swine Flu (H1N1)?
|
CAN |
USA |
BRI |
|
|
Yes |
36% |
26% |
20% |
|
No |
39% |
51% |
50% |
|
Not sure |
24% |
23% |
30% |
Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,002 Canadian adults, 1,006 American adults, and 2,000 British adults, conducted from Oct. 22 to Oct. 26, 2009. Margins of error range from 2.2 per cent to 3.1 per cent.