Understanding barriers to influenza vaccination among parents is important to improve vaccine uptake among children
Understanding barriers to influenza vaccination among parents is important to improve vaccine uptake among children
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered public perceptions of vaccines, particularly among parents. In high-income countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia, factors such as misinformation, the expedited approval process of COVID-19 vaccines and unique local challenges have contributed to vaccine hesitancy, resulting in uneven uptake across various vaccination programs. Despite efforts like school-based influenza vaccination programs in the UK and free influenza vaccines in Australia, vaccination rates continue to decline. This is especially concerning given the concurrent circulation of COVID-19 and influenza during the winter months, which places additional strain on healthcare systems. Drawing on existing evidence, this commentary examines key factors influencing childhood vaccination rates and provides preliminary policy recommendations to address these challenges. Three actionable recommendations are outlined, including strategies to counter misinformation, improve accessibility, and strengthen public trust in vaccination programs. These insights aim to guide the development of effective interventions to increase vaccination uptake.
Australia, COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage, COVID-19/prevention & control, Child, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Immunization Programs, Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage, Influenza, Human/prevention & control, Parents/psychology, Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data, United Kingdom, Vaccination Hesitancy/statistics & numerical data, Vaccination/psychology, vaccine hesitancy, vaccines, child health, Influenza, vaccination
Davey, Stephanie A
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Elander, James
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Woodward, Amelia
b253d540-20da-40c0-b41f-db36dc4a9d60
Head, Michael G
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Gaffiero, Daniel
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Davey, Stephanie A
492cd08b-8bdd-427e-8869-b028f22d9d8e
Elander, James
d9908af8-4b15-48eb-8eec-9705ebae65c6
Woodward, Amelia
b253d540-20da-40c0-b41f-db36dc4a9d60
Head, Michael G
67ce0afc-2fc3-47f4-acf2-8794d27ce69c
Gaffiero, Daniel
45f97160-2c48-4790-9868-54f2b852bb22
Davey, Stephanie A, Elander, James, Woodward, Amelia, Head, Michael G and Gaffiero, Daniel
(2025)
Understanding barriers to influenza vaccination among parents is important to improve vaccine uptake among children.
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 21 (1), [2457198].
(doi:10.1080/21645515.2025.2457198).
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered public perceptions of vaccines, particularly among parents. In high-income countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia, factors such as misinformation, the expedited approval process of COVID-19 vaccines and unique local challenges have contributed to vaccine hesitancy, resulting in uneven uptake across various vaccination programs. Despite efforts like school-based influenza vaccination programs in the UK and free influenza vaccines in Australia, vaccination rates continue to decline. This is especially concerning given the concurrent circulation of COVID-19 and influenza during the winter months, which places additional strain on healthcare systems. Drawing on existing evidence, this commentary examines key factors influencing childhood vaccination rates and provides preliminary policy recommendations to address these challenges. Three actionable recommendations are outlined, including strategies to counter misinformation, improve accessibility, and strengthen public trust in vaccination programs. These insights aim to guide the development of effective interventions to increase vaccination uptake.
Text
Understanding barriers to influenza vaccination among parents is important to improve vaccine uptake among children
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Accepted/In Press date: 19 January 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 23 January 2025
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Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords:
Australia, COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage, COVID-19/prevention & control, Child, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Immunization Programs, Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage, Influenza, Human/prevention & control, Parents/psychology, Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data, United Kingdom, Vaccination Hesitancy/statistics & numerical data, Vaccination/psychology, vaccine hesitancy, vaccines, child health, Influenza, vaccination
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 498288
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/498288
ISSN: 2164-5515
PURE UUID: 469a2782-fcd7-4631-85b2-71b055210546
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Date deposited: 13 Feb 2025 18:01
Last modified: 22 Aug 2025 02:12
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Author:
Stephanie A Davey
Author:
James Elander
Author:
Amelia Woodward
Author:
Daniel Gaffiero
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