In a possible response to the drop in swine flu cases nationwide, a new Harvard poll found that only 40 percent of those surveyed were concerned that they or their family would come down with the flu. In a September poll, 52 percent were worried.
The poll also found that by Dec. 17, about 56 million people -- more likely children than adults -- had received the H1N1 vaccine.
"Taking those two data points together, we think right now probably at least 60 million people have been vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine," Schuchat said.
Now is a good time to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu, she said, because supplies are plentiful. And should there be another wave of illness, you'd be protected.
Schuchat also said that children under 10 years of age should get two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected. A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggested that children might need only one dose.
"If you have children who are under 10 years of age that have gotten the H1N1 vaccine, it is important to know that your child needs a second dose," she said. "We recommend two doses of H1N1 vaccine about one month apart."
According to CDC estimates, children and young adults continue to be most vulnerable to the H1N1 flu. From mid-April, when the virus first surfaced, until November, 47 million Americans came down with the swine flu. About 16 million of those people were children under 18 years of age, and about 27 million were adults between 18 and 64.
During the same period, an estimated 9,820 people died, including 1,090 children aged 17 and younger, as well as 7,450 people aged 18 to 64, according to the CDC.
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