To vaccinate or not to vaccinate: Child influenza vaccination in England

References

Cite

Share

Abstract

Influenza is a common disease which causes considerable morbidity and mortality. In an attempt to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza, the influenza vaccine has been offered to children in England since 2013. However, uptake is low. Psychological factors, such as the perception that the vaccine causes adverse effects, negative vaccine beliefs and attitudes, lack of vaccine recommendation from healthcare providers, and perceived practical/logistical barriers to vaccination have been found to be associated with child influenza vaccine refusal in the UK. Public health communications and vaccine interventions should target these factors in order to increase vaccine uptake.