Flu vaccine use decreases despite crippling flu epidemic

For the sixth year running primary care physicians ordered fewer flu vaccinations, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) revealed on Friday. This is despite the fact that last winter had the longest and deadliest influenza epidemic in the past 40 years. The largest decrease in patients getting flu vaccines are found in the age group of 60 to 65 years old, a group more susceptible to long-term illness sparked by influenza, RIVM representative Jaco Timmermans told BNR. “Many people are at risk and offer no valid explanation for the objection,” Timmermans said. "If people are well informed, they can make their own choice, but to not get the shot because you were misinformed, that is unfortunate," Ted van Essen of the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG). Van Essen pointed out that about ten percent of the population come down with the flu, meaning nine of ten are vaccinated for little reason.