One-third of US parents say they will avoid influenza vaccines for their children this season



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Although health experts routinely recommend that children receive the annual flu shots, nearly one-third of American parents said they were not planning to vaccinate their children this year, according to a report released Monday. CS Mott Children's Hospital Michigan.

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The national child health survey, conducted last month in collaboration with the Center for Evaluation and Research of the Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases and Child Health of the University of Michigan, asked to 1,977 parents who planned to vaccinate their children this year and to justify their choice. decision.

"There seems to be a room around the flu vaccine," said Sarah Clark, associate director of the National Child Health Survey at the C.S. Mott Hospital. "Child health providers are a vital source of information to explain the reasons for annual influenza immunization and to answer parents' questions about the safety and effectiveness of the flu shot."


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The survey found that two-thirds of parents planned to vaccinate their children, most of them on the recommendation of their health care providers. According to officials, these parents reported having four times more sources encouraging vaccination than discouraging it.

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Parents who indicated that they would probably not receive the flu shots from their children said they got most of their information about vaccinations from family members, close friends, and other relatives. They reported having seven times more sources against vaccination than for her, officials said.

"It's important to recognize that for some parents, child health providers are not the only influence – or even the primary influence – on influenza vaccine decisions," Clark said. "For these families, we need to explore other mechanisms to convey accurate information and allow parents to hear a more balanced view."

During the 2017-2018 season, 180 children died of the disease, the most serious ever recorded.

Experts recommend that all persons over 6 months of age be vaccinated against influenza. Children under 8 years of age who are being vaccinated for the first time should receive two doses spaced one month apart to enhance their immunity.



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