Most Arizonans won't get swine flu shot

Most Arizonans will not get a swine flu vaccination once the vaccine becomes readily available, according to the latest Cronkite/Eight Poll.

Forty-one percent of those asked said they would get a swine flu shot, 54 percent said they would not and 5 percent did not know.

"I think one of the things that's happening is people feel it's not tested because they had to rush it into production, so it may not be safe," said Arizona State University pollster Bruce Merrill. "Some people are basically saying, `I'd rather take my chances with the flu because I don't think it's a very serious flu.'"

By contrast, 58 percent of respondents said they have or will get a regular flu shot. Forty-one percent said they will not and 1 percent did not know.

The poll was conducted last week with a statewide sample of 652 registered voters. The sampling error was plus or minus 3.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Coconino County Health Director Barbara Worgess said seven children mistakenly got adult doses of the swine flu vaccine last week. She said none of the kids suffered ill effects.

And, Arizona officials were waiting for tests to determine if a 10-year-old boy from Tonopah, west of Phoenix, had the swine flu. The boy died after spending several days in the hospital, possibly with swine flu and pneumonia.