Among 1,367 parents queried in a survey, 52 percent reported that their children had been vaccinated this flu season. Of those who did not vaccinate their children, 59 percent reported believing the flu vaccine to be less important than other childhood vaccinations, according to University of Michigan Health System researchers.
Of respondents whose children were not vaccinated, 48 percent said they did not believe the flu vaccine works as well as other childhood vaccines. They also expressed concerns about vaccine safety, with 23 percent reporting a belief that flu vaccines have more side effects than other vaccines, and 21 percent believing flu vaccines aren't as rigorously tested.
"Despite substantial public health efforts, flu vaccine rates for U.S. children are well below national targets," Sarah J. Clark, associate research scientist in the U-M Department of Pediatrics and lead author, said in a statement.
The findings suggest that many parents are unaware that flu virus can be deadly for children, according to Ms. Clark. Additionally, most parents whose children were not vaccinated reported believing their child's physician recommended flu vaccine less strongly than other vaccines.
"Healthcare providers can play an important role in addressing parents' negative beliefs about flu vaccine," Ms. Clark said. "To do so, they should fully explain and strongly recommend an annual flu vaccine for all children."