Direct from the Pharmacist Crowd: What level of severity do you predict for the 2013 – 2014 flu season?

Why can’t public health officials predict the severity of the upcoming flu season?  Because it’s impossible to predict how the flu virus will behave. How should you manage this unpredictability? The CDC, and your local pharmacist, suggest you get a flu shot. Looking for additional insight, InCrowd asked retail pharmacists from across the US a series of questions regarding the 2013-2014 flu season.

Question #1: Why don’t people get flu shots?

Question #2: What do you see as the major benefits to people receiving flu shots at their local pharmacy?

Question #3: What do you see as the major drawback to people receiving flu shots at their local pharmacy?

Question #4: What level of severity do you predict for the 2013 – 2014 flu season?

An increase in the number of people getting flu shots leads majority of surveyed pharmacists to predict an average flu season. 

• Mild 17/150, 11.3%
• Average 114/150, 76%
• Worse than average 17/150, 11.3%
• Severe 2/150, 1.3%

Bonus Question: During what month does your pharmacy administer the highest number of flu vaccines?

Answer: October, 106/150, 70.6%