COVID-19 can infect people at any time of the year but is particularly troublesome in the fall as flu infections increase. Many people refrain from getting the flu shot, but will the threat of COVID-19 change their minds about this vaccination? Additionally, how do people feel about a vaccine for coronavirus? Toluna is a technology company that provides businesses and research departments with real-time insights at a speed that suits the on-demand economy. Here, we share vital information from our consumer report on flu shot findings to help healthcare and pharmaceutical professionals learn more about COVID-19 and the 2020 fall flu season.
Using the Toluna Start platform, we surveyed 1,000 members of our panel to gauge their concerns about the fall flu season during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many people expressed moderate to extreme fear about getting sick in 2020, and 75% of the panel said they were more worried about getting sick given the impact of COVID-19. These concerns made people more conscious about hygiene, as our consumer health report indicates three-quarters of the group claimed to wash their hands more often in 2020. Additionally, the number of people who received or planned to receive the flu shot went up 9% from those who got it in 2019.
After former president Donald Trump and other public officials contracted COVID-19, some people’s views changed about the virus. Our results show that individuals were more likely to wear a mask following the spread of infection to high-level officials across Washington D.C. More people also displayed concerns about the virus spreading following the president’s infection than did not. However, most of those surveyed remained unchanged in their views about the diagnosis and symptoms.
After collecting consumer insights on the fall flu season and COVID-19, we gathered coronavirus vaccination data from the panel. We found that 39% of respondents thought a shot would realistically become available between January and March of 2021. More than half of the group said they would get a vaccine, but most felt more comfortable waiting several months first. Those who stated they would not receive the vaccine cited fears about adverse reactions and doubts about its effectiveness as justification.
Healthcare professionals must know how people feel about different illnesses and treatments to care for patients properly. When you need reliable consumer health reports and vaccination data, turn to Toluna. With over 20 years of research expertise, we’ve created unique insight solutions for the pharmaceutical industry and deliver unparalleled access to patients, medical professionals, and physicians.
Innovative technology, vertical knowledge, award-winning design, and a panel of 36 million consumers from over 70 countries help you achieve fast and high-quality consumer insights. For more information on the Toluna Start platform, schedule a demo with us today.
