The historical number of hospitalizations, deaths and pediatric illnesses during the influenza season has prompted many people to rethink vaccination this time around.

About one in five people who have never been vaccinated with influenza say that this devastating season is ready to join the ranks of vaccinated Americans, according to a new survey by CVS Health shows.

Similarly, about 26% of parents whose children have not been vaccinated against influenza say that last year's influenza virus, the most serious since the 2009 epidemic, changed their protection plan family with the vaccine.

In addition, about 66% of US adults surveyed say they receive a flu shot every year or plan to get one this year, an increase of 5% over the previous year.

Although it is impossible to predict the severity of the next influenza season, the survey has provided key information on various key factors, such as why sick people continue to work and transmit the flu.

Among the results of the survey of 2000 adults:

• About 67% of them would still work with flu-like symptoms, up 2% from last year.
• The biggest reason: not wanting to use paid holidays (44%). Another 38% worry about lost wages and 37% say that the company / boss expects them to work sick.
• Flu-like symptoms did not prevent some people from going out in public, 28% hitting the supermarket and 10% using public transport.

Last year

To understand the impact of unhealthy habits, check out the numbers from last season's flu season.

Overall, New York had more than 128,000 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases last season and 23,300 people were hospitalized. This was part of the country's record hospitalization rate of about 107 hospitalizations per 100,000 population.

Strikingly, the number of pediatric deaths related to influenza last season reached 168, including six in New York.

DATA: How often was the flu in your country last season? Check here

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to children, influenza killed thousands of American adults last year, but their exact numbers are not available.

In a mild season, the flu can kill 12,000 people, while deaths exceed 56,000 in bad years, says the CDC.

The CDC recommends to all who are eligible and aged at least 6 months to be vaccinated against the flu when the vaccine will be available, preferably before the month of October.

CVS clinics offering shots

All of the country's CVS pharmacy and minuteClinic sites now have the vaccine as part of an effort to get the flu shot as quickly as possible.

"Surprising for many, the flu vaccine can take up to two weeks to boost immunity," said Angela Patterson, chief nurse practitioner of MinuteClinic.

"For this reason, CVS Pharmacy recommends that patients be vaccinated against influenza as soon as the vaccine is available to ensure that patients are the most protected before the peaks of the influenza season."

Last season, influenza activity in New York peaked during the week ending February 17, when more than 18,252 cases were confirmed in the laboratory in one week.

Patterson noted that patients should receive flu shots regularly.

"In addition, strains of influenza tend to change every year, so it is very important to get vaccinated every year to ensure your protection," she said.

Influenza vaccines are available seven days a week at CVS pharmacy and mini- clinics in New York, with no appointment, depending on staff and supplies. Patients can check wait times on MinuteClinic.com and locations on the CVS website: www.cvs.com/store-locator/landing.

More results from the survey

The Poll survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of CVS Pharmacy in July with more than 2,000 American adults aged 18 and over.

Other results include the main factors that motivate people to get the flu shot.

The top three factors were physician opinion (39%), accepted insurance (38%) and convenience (33%).

Among the same group, the percentage of people who were vaccinated in a pharmacy remained the same as last year, at 22%.

But there is a change for employed adults who get vaccinated at their place of work (previously 22%, now 15%) and those who are vaccinated by their primary care provider or other health professional (previously 44%, now 48%).

For more details on CVS Health's flu shots, visit the company's website: www.cvs.com.

More information

Here are 5 ways to avoid colds and flu

Do not blame the cold for the flu

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