ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sep 25, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Forty percent of parents say
they do not plan to comply with recommendations to have their children
vaccinated against H1N1 flu, a U.S. survey indicates.
The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health conducted a
national survey with the University of Michigan of 1,678 parents in August to
measure attitudes regarding H1N1 flu.
Parents who say they definitely or probably will not have their children get a
H1N1 vaccine, or are unsure, give these reasons:
-- 56 percent are worried about side effects of the H1N1 vaccine.
-- 46 percent say they are not worried about children getting H1N1 flu.
-- 42 percent say they think they can take medications to treat H1N1 flu.
-- 25 percent say the H1N1 vaccine won't be required or recommended for
school/day care.
-- 23 percent say they are worried the vaccine will be too expensive.
-- 20 percent say H1N1 is not a serious disease.
In contrast, parents who say they plan to have their children get the H1N1
vaccine give these reasons:
-- 83 percent say H1N1 flu is a serious disease.
-- 75 percent say the H1N1 vaccine is recommended for children.
-- 62 percent say H1N1 vaccine will likely be required for school/day care.
-- 55 percent say they are worried that medications will not be available or
effective.
-- 40 percent say the H1N1 vaccine is likely to be inexpensive.
The poll indicates parents may not fully appreciate that unlike seasonal flu,
the rates of illness and hospitalizations related to H1N1 flu are higher for
children.
The poll has a margin of error of 2-to-5 percentage points.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International