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Published on: August 14, 2019
Children's perceptions of influenza illness and preferences for influenza vaccine
Emuella M Flood1, Stan L Block, Matthew C Hall
1Oxford Outcomes, 7315 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 250W, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. emuella.flood@oxfordoutcomes.com
Insights
Children understand influenza and vaccination importance. Vaccine preferences depend on efficacy, side effects, and administration, with many preferring nasal spray over injections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Understanding children's perspectives on influenza and vaccination is crucial for public health.
- Previous research has not fully explored children's decision-making factors regarding influenza vaccines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore children's perceptions of influenza.
- To investigate children's preferences for influenza vaccines.
- To assess children's understanding of vaccine risks and attributes.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing in-person, semi-structured interviews.
- Interviewed 28 U.S. children aged 6–12 years.
- Explored perceptions of influenza, vaccine preferences, and risk comprehension.
Main Results:
- Children recognized influenza illness and the importance of vaccination.
- Vaccine efficacy, adverse effects, and administration method influenced preferences.
- Children aged 8+ could evaluate multiple vaccine attributes and preferred nasal spray over injections.
Conclusions:
- Vaccine efficacy, adverse effects, and administration are key factors in children's influenza vaccine preferences.
- Children aged 8 and older demonstrate an understanding of vaccine risks and can weigh multiple attributes.
- Findings inform the development of child-friendly vaccination strategies.
Introduction:
In this qualitative study we explored children's perceptions of influenza, preferences for influenza vaccines, and ability to understand "risk" of vaccine adverse effects and different attributes between injectable and intranasal vaccines.
Method:
In-person, semi-structured interviews were conducted among 28 U.S. children aged 6 through 12 years.
Results:
Many children understood the concept of influenza illness and believed vaccination was important. Efficacy, adverse effects, and mode of administration affected their preferences for influenza vaccines. Children 8 years of age and older were able to consider multiple attributes when selecting between hypothetical vaccines, and their responses were consistent with their previously stated preferences for individual attributes. Most children would prefer a nasal spray over a shot vaccine when all other vaccine attributes were equal.
Discussion:
Efficacy, adverse effects, and mode of administration were important factors in children's preferences for influenza vaccine. Children as young as 8 years of age appeared to understand vaccine "risk" and were able to consider multiple attributes simultaneously when choosing between vaccine alternatives.
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