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The results of the National Child Health Survey from the University of Michigan CS Mott Children’s Hospital (Mott Poll) that surveyed nearly 2,000 American households with children are concerning given public health experts who are concerned about the double impact flu season and the COVID-19 pandemic, have emphasized the importance of seasonal influenza vaccines.
The flu vaccine is essential to protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks and to reduce the impact of respiratory diseases on the population and the resulting burdens on the health system during the COVID-19 pandemic. , according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
“We may see spikes in flu and COVID-19 at the same time, which could overwhelm the healthcare system, overload testing capacity and potentially reduce our ability to detect and treat both respiratory illnesses effectively,” said Sarah Clark. , co-editor of Mott Poll, in a press release.
Currently, the CDC recommends that “all people 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot with rare exceptions.” Influenza has caused between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths a year since 2010, according to CDC estimates.
“Children should get the flu vaccine not only to protect themselves but to prevent the spread of the flu to family members and those who are at increased risk for serious complications,” Clark said.
Many parents who are reluctant to vaccinate their children against the flu cited concerns about side effects or the belief that it is not necessary or effective, which experts insist are misconceptions.
“There is a lot of misinformation about the flu vaccine, but it is the best defense for children against the serious health consequences of flu and the risk of spreading it to others,” Clark said.
As good news, the survey also found that many parents get their children vaccinated against the flu every year. Of the parents who said their child got the flu shot last year, nearly all (96%) intend to get vaccinated this year as well. In contrast, of the parents whose children did not get the flu vaccine last year, less than a third said their children will likely get the flu vaccine this year.
“A key challenge for public health officials is how to reach parents who do not routinely seek seasonal influenza vaccination for their children,” Clark said. “When getting an annual flu shot is not a pattern, parents should be encouraged to think about why it is essential that their children get vaccinated.”
The survey also found that families are more likely to vaccinate a child against the flu if the child’s regular healthcare provider strongly recommends it. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare providers have limited the number of in-person visits, which may reduce opportunities for providers to recommend the flu vaccine and answer parents’ questions about its safety and effectiveness.
“Our report finds that even during the pandemic, some parents do not view the flu vaccine as more urgent or necessary. This raises concerns about how the onset of the flu season may compound the challenges in managing COVID-19.” .
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