Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Correct myths about the flu vaccine: Study

Darpan News Desk IANS, 08 Dec, 2014 11:52 AM
  • Correct myths about the flu vaccine: Study
As health systems across the world are trying to increase vaccination levels, a study has suggested that it is critical to understand how to address vaccine hesitancy and counter myths about vaccine safety.
 
Researchers from New Hampshire-based Dartmouth College and the University of Exeter in Britain found that debunking the myth that the seasonal influenza vaccine can give you the flu actually reduced intent to vaccinate among people who are most concerned about vaccine's side effects.
 
"Correcting myths about vaccines, however, may not be the most effective approach to promoting immunisation among vaccine skeptics, said Brendan Nyhan, an assistant professor at Dartmouth College.
 
The study showed that more than four in 10 Americans endorsed the myth that the flu vaccine can give you the flu, saying it is either "somewhat" or "very accurate".
 
Respondents, who received corrective information that the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu, were less likely to report believing in this misperception or to say that the flu vaccine is unsafe.
 
"However, providing this corrective information also reduced the self-reported likelihood of getting a flu vaccine among respondents with high levels of concern about vaccine's side effects, added Jason Reifler, a senior lecturer of politics at University of Exeter.
 
The study was conducted with a nationally representative sample of adults in the US, collected as part of the 2012 Cooperative Congressional Election Survey.
 
"We need to learn how to most effectively promote immunisation. Directly correcting vaccine myths may not be the most effective approach," the authors concluded.
 
The article appeared in the journal Vaccine.

MORE Health ARTICLES

Second-hand marijuana smoke may damage blood vessels

Second-hand marijuana smoke may damage blood vessels
Breathing second-hand marijuana smoke could damage your heart and blood vessels as much as second-hand cigarette smoke, says a new research....

Second-hand marijuana smoke may damage blood vessels

Asthma may significantly raise heart attack risk

Asthma may significantly raise heart attack risk
Asthma patients need to take extra care of their heart as researchers have found that the affliction, which requires daily medication, may raise the risk of a heart attack by 60 percent....

Asthma may significantly raise heart attack risk

Healthbeat: Study Of Hand Transplants Sheds Light On Brain's Role In Restoring Sense Of Touch

Healthbeat: Study Of Hand Transplants Sheds Light On Brain's Role In Restoring Sense Of Touch
WASHINGTON — Recovery of feeling can gradually improve for years after a hand transplant, suggests a small study that points to changes in the brain, not just the new hand, as a reason.

Healthbeat: Study Of Hand Transplants Sheds Light On Brain's Role In Restoring Sense Of Touch

Weight-loss surgery could improve kidney function

Weight-loss surgery could improve kidney function
In addition to helping patients to shed flab, weight loss surgery may also improve their kidney function, a new study says....

Weight-loss surgery could improve kidney function

Cure to cold-induced pain hidden in mustard, garlic receptor!

Cure to cold-induced pain hidden in mustard, garlic receptor!
Some people experience cold as a painful sensation. Researchers have now found that the cure to this sensation could be in the olfactory receptors that react to pungent...

Cure to cold-induced pain hidden in mustard, garlic receptor!

Air pollution may up chronic kidney disease risk

Air pollution may up chronic kidney disease risk
Air pollution may raise the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), a new study indicates....

Air pollution may up chronic kidney disease risk