Influenza vaccine: uptake more common in children of vaccinated parents

Takeaway

• There is a direction association between parental/caregiver influenza vaccination and likelihood for childhood vaccination coverage.

Why this matters

• Encourage parental/caregiver influenza immunization to promote greater uptake among children.
• Pediatricians should notify/remind parents/caregivers of influenza vaccine availability at the start of every season, to encourage vaccination.

Key results

• Included children (based on annual National Health Interview Survey [NHIS]) ranged from 12,486 (2011) to 10,720 (2016).
• Across years, adult influenza immunization had the greatest association with likelihood for child immunization (pooled result OR, 3.83; 95% CI, 3.39-4.10).
• ≥3 household members with health insurance, pooled OR, 1.27 (95% CI, 1.02-1.54); 2 members, pooled OR, 1.38 (95% CI 1.15-1.65); 1 member, pooled OR, 1.27 (95% CI, 1.02-1.54) vs no insurance also increased likelihood for child immunization.
• Both higher education (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.87) and marital status (i.e. widowed, divorced; OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.72-0.87) negatively affected likelihood for child immunization.

Study design

• Analysis of NHIS data exploring associations between family characteristics and influenza vaccination coverage among children, 2011-2016.
• Funding: Kunshan Special Fund for Social Development and Science & Technology.

Limitations

• Recall bias.
• Missing confounders.