Factors Affecting Primary Caregivers’ Attitude toward Administration of Influenza Vaccine to Young Children in the Pingtung Area

Mei-Fang Chen

2009 Vol.25 NO.12

Correspondence Author: Li-Jen Lin

Abstract:

According to data from CDC, Taiwan, most severe cases of influenza were between 0 and 9 years old, and majority of these cases did not receive influenza vaccination. The primary method of flu prevention in young children is vaccination. However, the coverage rate in young children is not adequate. Hence, identifying factors affecting flu vaccine administration in young children to help develop effective strategies to increase vaccine coverage is important. In this study, we used purposive sampling to recruit cases from 33 health stations and 40 contract hospitals in Pingtung County. Two thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight (2,778) valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the most common reasons for flu vaccine administration in young children are heath education by the health bureau or station, suggestions from doctors, fear of infection, and effective vaccines. Among those cases, 7.0 percent experienced side effect. The most common factors for not receiving flu vaccines were fear of side effect, illness, negative news report of flu vaccines, and inadequate knowledge of vaccination. This study suggests five strategies to increase flu vaccine coverage in young children: proper guidance from healthcare professionals, completeness and easy access of health education, proper dissemination of critical messages, effective use of free vaccines, and effective strategy against negative reports of flu vaccine. This study may serve as a reference for forming influenza vaccination policy.
Keywords: influenza, young children, flu vaccine