Vaccine information pamphlets: more information than parents want?

To assess the information needs of parents regarding childhood immunizations, and their satisfaction with the Vaccine Information Pamphlets (VIPs).

Verbally administered, forced-choice survey of a representative sample.

Urban teaching hospital-primary care center (N = 73), neighborhood health center (N = 75), and a suburban private practice (N = 75).

Parents or guardians of children scheduled for routine checkups, aged 1 month to 18 years, presenting for routine health care maintenance visits.

Of 227 parents, 223 completed the survey. Almost all (98%) had prior experience with their children's immunizations, and 7% reported a history of a "bad" experience. Most parents stated that it was "very important" to receive information about immunizations regarding: diseases prevented by the immunizations (89%); common side effects (91%); serious side effects (89%); contraindications (91%). Eighty percent of parents indicated they wanted immunization information discussed with each vaccination. Forty-three percent of the parents were familiar with the VIPs; of these, 88% reported that the amount of information was "just right," and 94% thought the VIPs were helpful. However, 29% thought the VIPs were either too long, or somewhat too long.

Parents indicate that they want information about many aspects of immunizations, and those familiar with the VIPs report high levels of satisfaction with the pamphlets.