Swine-flu shot faces PR fight

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bert Curcio is more afraid of the flu shot than the swine flu itself.

He won't be showing up when health departments, doctors' offices and other clinics begin offering the first vaccinations against the new H1N1 influenza in coming days.

"I don't trust the companies to act that quickly and respond with something safe," said Curcio, 53, who works for York County, S.C., public works department. "I won't do it, and … I have three grandchildren, and I've told my children not to do it."

On Monday limited shipments began arriving in some states, including Indiana and Tennessee, where health workers were slated to receive the vaccine. As federal health officials prepare to deliver the first shipments of H1N1 flu vaccine to states this week, they're also trying to allay fears among many Americans.

A recent poll by the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center found a majority of U.S. adults say they are either reluctant or unsure about whether they or their children will get vaccinated for the swine flu.

In that poll, 34 percent of Americans said they planned to get the swine flu vaccine, while 21 percent said they wouldn't. Forty-three percent said their decision would depend on how things go.

Half of all parents surveyed said they were worried about the flu, but only 35 percent said they would definitely get their children vaccinated.

Drug manufacturers usually start making seasonal flu vaccine at the start of each year for distribution in the fall. But the H1N1 flu didn't show up in humans until March, so the vaccine has been produced more quickly.

To quell fears, federal officials stress that the same manufacturers and processes were used for swine flu vaccine and that clinical trials this summer turned up no safety problems.

"I have full trust and confidence that this vaccine has been tested and proven to be just as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine," said Dr. Wynn Mabry, director of the Mecklenburg County Health Department. He said he'll be getting the H1N1 vaccine and recommending it for his children and grandchildren.

"The benefit of being protected outweighs any concerns about the risk of the vaccine."

Weighing the risks

Swine flu is widespread across the United States, particularly in the South, where schools opened earlier.

Seasonal flu typically doesn't strike until November and December, peaking in January and February.