The latest Australian Child Health Poll has revealed that less than a third of parents are planning to vaccinate their kids against the flu this winter.
The poll also found that more than a quarter of parents incorrectly believe that healthy kids don’t get seriously unwell from the flu and one in six think that the flu is not a serious disease. Parents who hold these misbeliefs are considerably less likely to be planning to vaccinate their children against the flu this winter.
The poll found that:
- Almost nine in ten parents are unsure about the safety of the flu vaccine
- One in six parents incorrectly believe that the flu is not a serious disease
- Over a quarter incorrectly believe that healthy kids don’t get seriously unwell from the flu
- Nearly one in ten parents incorrectly believe that children can get the flu from the flu vaccine, and a quarter are unsure about this
- Almost half are unsure that the flu vaccine works well to protect children from the flu
Director of the Child Health Poll, Dr Anthea Rhodes said: “Despite high levels of concern and uncertainty, a minority (28 per cent) of parents have discussed the flu vaccine with a health care provider.
“We were surprised to see how much confusion still exists in the community about catching flu from the flu vaccine, with almost one in 10 parents subscribing to the myth, and over a quarter being unsure about this. This is an important reminder to keep educating people that there is no live virus in the flu vaccine so you cannot catch the flu from the flu vaccine!”
Dr Rhodes said the poll also identified cost as a potential barrier for parents in giving their child the flu vaccine, with around one in five parents saying they could not afford the flu vaccine for their children.
“Half of all parents said they would vaccinate their child if the flu vaccine was free. Universal funded flu vaccine for children has been on the agenda for some time and this poll reinforces the potential for such a program to substantially increase flu vaccine uptake rates,” Dr Rhodes added.
The flu vaccine is safe and recommended for all children from six months of age.
For more information on the findings, and Dr Rhodes’ detailed report, visit www.childhealthpoll.org.au
2 comments for “Child Health Poll shows that parents’ misconceptions are influencing flu vaccine uptake”
Dianne
I wanted to vaccinate my almost three year old son, but it was impossible to buy the flu vaccine that was appropriate for his age.
What is the point of having different flu vaccine options for different ages when the vaccine for you kids cannot be bought??
Two pharmacies in our town, neither had any stock, and when they tried to order it in, they were informed that it was out of stock and had been for a very long time.
Dianne
Young kids