These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Americans are at least somewhat concerned that swine flu will become a more serious problem in the fall with the arrival of the traditional flu season. Twenty-four percent (24%) are very concerned, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
Forty-one percent (41%) of adults are not concerned, with 30% not very concerned and another 11% not at all concerned.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hope to have 120 million doses of an H1N1 swine flu vaccine ready before the flu season and have been seeking volunteers for fast-track tests of the experimental vaccine.
Just 16% of Americans say they would be willing to volunteer to have the experimental swine flu vaccine tested on them. Seventy-four percent (74%) are not willing to volunteer.
Women are more concerned than men about a more serious outbreak of swine flu in the fall but are less willing to volunteer to test the experimental vaccine. Older Americans generally are more concerned than those who are younger. But 27% of those ages 18 to 29 are willing to be guinea pigs for a vaccine test, higher than for any other age group.
As flu season approaches, these numbers mark a higher level of concern than was evident in June even though the World Health Organization at that time declared swine flu a pandemic, its highest global alert status. Forty-seven percent (47%) of Americans were at least somewhat concerned about the threat of swine flu , with 16% very concerned.
In late April, however, when the potential spread of the disease first became public , 65% were at least somewhat concerned, with 20% very concerned.
If the swine flu vaccine is found safe, pregnant women and those who care for or live with infants are expected to be among the first vaccinated. Yet, interestingly, adults with children in the home are less concerned abut a fall outbreak of swine flu than are those who are not living with children.
The primary lifestyle response to swine flu among most Americans is to wash their hands more often.
Sixty-one percent (61%) also believe the media tends to make diseases like swine flu sound worse than they really are.
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To view the original report, please use this link: Are You Fear this Swine?