Many Long Islanders Take Supplements Instead Of Flu Shot: Poll

A significant portion of New Yorkers reported in a recent poll that they use supplements and herbal remedies in order to prevent getting the flu, rather than getting a flu shot.

The results come from the latest South Nassau Communities Hospital Truth in Medicine Poll, which was sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. The poll is a quarterly survey of 600 residents of Long Island and New York City to find out their attitudes on various health-related topics.

According to the poll, almost half of those surveyed reported taking unregulated dietary supplements like vitamins, essential oils and probiotics, and many said they did so in the hopes of warding off the cold or flu. However, 39 percent of the respondents said they had not had a flu shot.

“Benefit from cold supplements have never been truly proven to help boost your immunity against colds, whereas flu vaccine is proven to prevent the flu,” said Dr. Aaron E. Glatt, South Nassau’s Department of Medicine Chair and Hospital Epidemiologist, who also is a spokesman for the Infectious Disease Society of America.

According to the poll, more than half of people take an anti-cold or -flu supplement daily. Those who take something to prevent colds and flu are fairly confident that it works, with 39 percent saying the supplements are very effective and 53 percent saying they are somewhat effective.

Vitamin C is overwhelmingly the most popular supplement choice, with 85 percent of respondents who take supplements saying they take it. Vitamin C includes popular drugstore brands like Emergen-C and Airborne. Zinc, including the popular Zicam, followed Vitamin C at 26 percent as the second most popular supplement.

And while Vitamin C is a standard supplement many people take, doctors warn that people should be cautious with others. Most vitamin and herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA, and 62 percent of respondents said they know that. And 36 percent of parents said they give their children supplements, with a third of them saying they do so without consulting a doctor.

“While a supplement like Vitamin C is safe to take if you are traveling or are in close contact with friends or family who have colds or flu, other supplements, especially herbal supplements, should always be cleared by your primary care doctor or other physician,” said Dr. Adhi Sharma, South Nassau’s chief medical officer.

Parents in Long Island are more likely to give their children supplements than parents in New York City. While those who take supplements themselves are more likely to give their children supplements, 18 percent of parents who do not take supplements still choose to give them to their children.

Doctors stressed that supplements are not a valid alternative to the flu shot. Supplements provide dubious protection at best, while the flu shot is proven to protect people from the seasonal flu.

“Although the flu shot may not be 100 percent effective, it will help reduce the severity of the flu and its symptoms," Glatt said. "Considering the high prevalence of the flu and the fact that it will carry on into April, if you haven’t been vaccinated, yet, please do so; it is never too late to get vaccinated."

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