The impact of pandemic A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza and vaccine-associated adverse events on parental attitudes and influenza vaccine uptake in young children

Christopher C Blyth; Peter C Richmond; Peter Jacoby; Patrick Thornton; Annette Regan; Christine Robins; Heath Kelly; David W Smith; Paul V Effler

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.05.055

The impact of pandemic A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza and vaccine-associated adverse events on parental attitudes and influenza vaccine uptake in young children

Vaccine. 2014 Jul 7;32(32):4075-81. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.05.055. Epub 2014 May 28.

Authors

Christopher C Blyth¹, Peter C Richmond², Peter Jacoby³, Patrick Thornton⁴, Annette Regan⁵, Christine Robins³, Heath Kelly⁶, David W Smith⁷, Paul V Effler⁸

Affiliations

¹ School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia; Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Subiaco, WA, Australia; Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Subiaco, WA, Australia; PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Nedlands, WA, Australia. Electronic address: Christopher.blyth@uwa.edu.au.
² School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia; Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Subiaco, WA, Australia; Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
³ Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
⁴ School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
⁵ Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Department of Health, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
⁶ Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
⁷ PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Nedlands, WA, Australia; School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
⁸ Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Department of Health, Perth, WA, Australia.

PMID: 24877764
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.05.055

Abstract

Introduction: Parental attitudes towards vaccination significantly influence vaccine uptake. The A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza pandemic was followed in 2010 by an unprecedented increase in febrile reactions in children receiving trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine manufactured by bioCSL. Uptake of TIV in children <5 years in Western Australia (WA) decreased in 2010 and has remained low. The impact of pandemic A(H1N1)pdm09 and adverse-events on parental attitudes towards vaccination is uncertain.

Materials and methods: A parental attitudes survey towards influenza illness and vaccination was conducted as part of the West Australian Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness study. Vaccination status was assessed by parental interview and confirmed by the national register and/or vaccine providers. Parental attitudes from vaccinated and unvaccinated children and attitudes in 2008-2009 and 2010-2012 were compared. Principal Component Analysis was conducted to determine core attitudes that influenced vaccine uptake.

Results: Vaccination history and parental attitude surveys were available from 2576 children. Parents of fully vaccinated children less frequently stated that influenza was a mild disease, more frequently stated that influenza vaccine was safe and were less frequently worried about vaccine side effects. Uptake of influenza vaccine decreased significantly from 2010 onwards. From 2010, parents were less concerned about severe influenza, but more concerned about vaccine side effects and safety. Despite this significant shift in attitudes towards influenza vaccine, parental acceptance of vaccines on the national immunisation program did not change. Principal Component Analysis revealed that attitudes around vaccine safety and efficacy were the most important attitudes impacting on vaccine uptake.

Conclusions: Parental attitudes to influenza vaccine changed from 2010. Confidence in the WA preschool influenza vaccination program remains low yet appeared unchanged for other vaccines. Restoring public confidence in childhood influenza vaccination is needed before uptake can be improved.

Keywords: Children; Influenza; Parental attitudes; Vaccination.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Attitude to Health
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Infant
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype
Influenza Vaccines* / administration & dosage
Influenza Vaccines* / adverse effects
Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
Male
Parents / psychology*
Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
Vaccination / adverse effects*
Western Australia

Substances

Influenza Vaccines