Influenza Vaccine Communication During Pediatric Hospitalizations: A Qualitative Study.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric healthcare
• Vaccinology
• Health communication

Background:

• Health care professional (HCP) communication significantly influences parental acceptance of influenza vaccination for hospitalized children.
• However, specific communication strategies and their effectiveness remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore parental and HCP perspectives on influenza vaccine communication during pediatric hospitalization.
• To identify key components for optimizing vaccine conversations in this setting.

Main Methods:

• Semistructured interviews were conducted with parents and HCPs at a pediatric hospital during the 2018-2019 influenza season.
• Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically.
• Eligible participants included English- and Spanish-speaking parents whose children required influenza vaccination.

Main Results:

• Parents expressed openness to discussing influenza vaccination, valuing strong HCP recommendations.
• HCPs reported lacking knowledge, comfort, and skills for vaccine discussions, desiring accessible information and institutional support.
• Both groups emphasized tailoring communication to individual patient and family needs.

Conclusions:

• Hospitalization presents a crucial opportunity for influenza vaccine conversations.
• Optimizing communication requires addressing HCP knowledge/comfort gaps and providing institutional support.
• Tailored communication strategies can enhance parental vaccine acceptance for hospitalized children.