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Parental perspectives on influenza vaccination in children with asthma
Ozge U Soyer1, Samir Hudaverdiyev, Ersoy Civelek
1Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Unit, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Physician recommendation significantly influences influenza vaccination decisions in children with asthma. Parental beliefs, not demographics, are key factors in vaccination uptake, highlighting the need for increased immunization efforts.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Influenza poses significant risks of mortality and morbidity in children, particularly those with chronic conditions.
- Despite vaccination efforts, many children with chronic medical conditions, like asthma, remain unvaccinated.
- Understanding factors influencing influenza vaccination in this vulnerable group is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify demographic and asthma-related factors associated with influenza vaccination in children.
- To explore caregivers' knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza disease and vaccination.
- To determine factors influencing influenza vaccine uptake in children with asthma during the 2007-2008 season.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaires for caregivers of children with asthma.
- The questionnaire collected data on caregivers' knowledge of influenza and vaccination, and factors influencing vaccination decisions.
- 311 children with asthma were enrolled in the study.
Main Results:
- The lifetime influenza vaccination rate was 69.5%, with 51.8% vaccinated in the current season.
- No significant differences in demographic factors or asthma control were found between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.
- Physician recommendation was the primary driver for vaccination (80.1%), while lack of awareness and illness at vaccination time were key reasons for refusal.
Conclusions:
- Physician recommendation is a critical factor in influenza vaccination decisions for children with asthma.
- Parental beliefs and attitudes, rather than demographic or asthma control factors, significantly influence immunization uptake.
- Enhanced strategies are necessary to improve influenza vaccination rates among children with asthma.
Background:
Influenza is an important cause of epidemic and pandemic disease leading to mortality and morbidity in children. Despite great efforts to increase influenza vaccination, many children with chronic medical conditions do not receive influenza vaccine. Our aim was to identify the demographic factors and asthma-associated characteristics related to vaccination, caregivers' attitudes and knowledge about influenza disease during the 2007-2008 influenza season.
Methods:
Caregivers of children with asthma were surveyed via a self-administered questionnaire to document their knowledge about influenza disease and vaccine and factors influencing vaccination.
Results:
We enrolled 311 children with asthma. The rate of lifetime influenza vaccination was 69.5%, whereas 51.8% of the patients had been vaccinated in the current season. There were no significant differences in demographic factors and asthma control parameters between the groups who received or did not receive influenza vaccine. Most of the parents whose children were vaccinated believed that influenza vaccination would decrease the prevalence and severity of asthma attacks (P < 0.05). The most important reason cited by parents for deciding on the influenza vaccine for their child was physician recommendation (80.1%). The major reasons for declining the vaccination were unawareness that the influenza vaccine was a requirement for their child (29.3%) and illness at the time of vaccination (20%).
Conclusion:
Physician recommendation is important in the influenza vaccination decision. Demographic factors and asthma control parameters had no influence on immunization uptake but parental beliefs and attitudes could be determinant. Greater effort is needed to increase influenza vaccination rates, in children with asthma.
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