Doctors Telling Patients Get Flu Shot this Season

Author: Sermo
Published: 2020/10/25 - Updated: 2023/09/22
Publication Type: Announcement / Notification
Topic: Coronavirus Information - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main

Synopsis: Majority of U.S. doctors (92%) tell patients to get the flu shot and majority of physicians and doctors worldwide believe second wave of COVID-19 likely.

While physicians always recommend flu shots, the fact that almost all are recommending that patients receive a vaccine sooner rather than later.

Some Sermo members expressed concern a second wave could occur in the late fall or winter and be compounded by influenza, common respiratory viruses and other seasonal viruses.

Introduction

Week 14 of Sermo's COVID-19 Real Time Barometer survey(1) revealed that 92 percent of physicians in the United States are recommending that patients get their annual flu shot as soon as possible in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In New York and California, the number of physicians recommending a flu shot immediately jumps to 96 percent and 94 percent, respectively.

Main Item

The Real Time Barometer is an observational study of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak as reported by physicians with firsthand experience treating COVID-19 patients. Each week, thousands of physicians provide insights on topics regarding the global health crisis. To date, Sermo has conducted over 60,800 interviews with doctors in 31 countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Russia, China, Japan and Australia.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traditionally recommends patients receive a flu shot by the end of October to help combat the virus during flu season, almost all (85%) of the 2,400+ Sermo doctors surveyed from September 17-20 across 31 countries are encouraging their patients to receive a flu shot immediately.

Sermo is the largest healthcare data collection company and social platform for physicians, reaching 1.3MM healthcare professionals across 150 countries. The platform enables doctors to anonymously talk real-world medicine, review treatment options via our proprietary Drug Ratings platform, collectively solve patient cases, and participate in medical market research.

"Each year, the flu sickens millions and hospitalizes hundreds of thousands of people during the fall and winter months. The elderly are especially hard hit every year," said Peter Kirk, Sermo CEO. "While physicians always recommend flu shots, the fact that almost all are recommending that patients receive a vaccine sooner rather than later shows just how concerned they are about the potential for flu to deplete valuable resources in the middle of this historic pandemic."

The survey also found that physicians, like everyone else, are already planning on either eliminating or sharply curtailing travel plans during the holiday season because of COVID-19. Worldwide, 68 percent of physicians said that their holiday travel plans are 'significantly impacted' by the pandemic. Overall, in the U.S., 66 percent of physicians said they didn't plan to travel with their families, but those numbers jumped to 83 percent and 70 percent in New York and California, respectively.

Other Findings From The Survey Include:

The numbers follow the belief physicians have that a second surge of COVID-19 cases is on the horizon. Globally, 93 percent of physicians expect a second wave of cases as the Northern Hemisphere enters the fall and winter months, and people spend more time indoors.

In Related News from Sermo

81% of U.S. Physicians and 62% of Doctors Worldwide Believe Second Wave of COVID-19 Likely

Sermo's COVID-19 Real Time Barometer survey, conducted with nearly 4,000 physicians across 31 countries from June 10-12, reveals 81% of physicians in the United States believe a second wave of COVID-19 - defined as "a sharp increase in cases after achieving extended periods of low growth rates" - is likely to occur. Sixty-two percent of physicians in other countries, such as France, Korea and Australia, feel a second wave is likely.

"I feel certain there will be a second wave of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, particularly in areas that have overly relaxed social distancing and mask wearing in a rushed attempt to return to 'normalcy'," said David Karpf, MD, endocrinologist at Stanford Health Care.

Some Sermo members expressed concern a second wave could occur in the late fall or winter and be compounded by influenza, common respiratory viruses and other seasonal viruses. When asked about preparedness for a second wave, only one-third (34%) of global physicians reported they expect their state or region of their country would be prepared, and a quarter (26%) are not confident lessons learned would be fully applied to a second spike.

Continued below image.
Will we experience a second wave of COVID-19? Week 11 data (June 10-12) from Sermo COVID-19 Real Time Barometer Study of nearly 4,000 physicians across 31 countries. Is a second wave of COVID•19 likely to occur? U.S. physicians 19% not likely, 81% likely. Rest of the world physicians 38% not likely, 62% likely. Are we prepared for a second wave? 34% of global physicians expect their state or region would be prepared. 26% are not confident lessons learned would be fully are applied to a second spike. - Image Credit: Sermo.
Will we experience a second wave of COVID-19? Week 11 data (June 10-12) from Sermo COVID-19 Real Time Barometer Study of nearly 4,000 physicians across 31 countries. Is a second wave of COVID•19 likely to occur? U.S. physicians 19% not likely, 81% likely. Rest of the world physicians 38% not likely, 62% likely. Are we prepared for a second wave? 34% of global physicians expect their state or region would be prepared. 26% are not confident lessons learned would be fully are applied to a second spike. - Image Credit: Sermo.
Continued...

Are We Prepared Locally?

The return to some level of normalcy is a complex process that requires balancing the risk of infection and transmission with the physical and mental effects of isolating, canceling summer camps, shuttering schools, continuing the work from home practice, and more.

As the general public has experienced an increase in anxiety over finances, health, safety, relationships and other issues, physicians are enduring their own professional stressors. Among physicians who have experienced more stress than usual in the past week, Sermo found:

"Our data reflects the voice of physicians worldwide, and in this recent wave, we hear their concern about possible peaks, second waves and preparedness," said Peter Kirk, Sermo CEO. "Physicians stress the importance of remaining vigilant against the coronavirus otherwise many countries will find themselves back to square one."

Anger Spreads Against COVID-19 Anti-vaxxers As Cases Rise

Attribution/Source(s):
This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Sermo, and published on 2020/10/25 (Edit Update: 2023/09/22), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Sermo can be contacted at sermo.com. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

Explore Similar Topics

- A study of 18 million people finds increased mental illnesses incidence following severe COVID-19, especially in unvaccinated people.

- Receiving a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine or booster during pregnancy can benefit pregnant people and their newborn infants, according to recent findings.

Citing Information and Page References

Disabled World (DW) is a comprehensive online resource providing information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): Sermo. (2020, October 25 - Last revised: 2023, September 22). Doctors Telling Patients Get Flu Shot this Season. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 7, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/influenza/coronavirus/2020-flu-shots.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/health/influenza/coronavirus/2020-flu-shots.php">Doctors Telling Patients Get Flu Shot this Season</a>: Majority of U.S. doctors (92%) tell patients to get the flu shot and majority of physicians and doctors worldwide believe second wave of COVID-19 likely.

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it's important to note that our content is for general informational purposes only. We always recommend consulting qualified healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.