Uni wants flu shots publicly funded

Following the worst flu season since 2009, new research has sparked calls for the seasonal influenza vaccine to be publicly funded to boost the uptake of vaccinations of vulnerable young children.

The study found children under five were not being vaccinated against influenza despite being highly vulnerable, with parents and healthcare practitioners citing high costs as barriers to vaccinating, as well as misconceptions about the vaccine and the level of risk of contracting influenza.

The study, published in the journal Vaccine, explored the views, attitudes and practices of parents, GPs, practice nurses, maternal and child health nurses, and pharmacists on their knowledge and acceptance of influenza vaccination in children under five.

Parents thought the vaccine could cause influenza, and influenza vaccination was not necessary for their children as they needed to build their own “immunity”.

Healthcare practitioners expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine as well as out-of-pocket costs for families, and uncertainty around the severity, complications and risk of children contracting the illness.

About half a million deaths worldwide are attributed to influenza every year.

The study’s lead author, Monash University PhD student Ruby Biezen, said that of the Australian patients that present with influenza, the highest notification rates occurred in children under five.

“Despite the established safety of influenza vaccines, barriers to uptake include concerns regarding the iatrogenic effects of vaccination, its administration schedule, and the lack of knowledge of the severity of influenza.

“Updated information on influenza and the efficacy of the vaccine, and incorporating influenza vaccination into the immunisation schedule may overcome some of these barriers to increase influenza vaccination in vulnerable young children.”

Parents said that they would consider vaccinating their children if recommended by their GP and if the flu vaccine was part of the immunisation schedule.

Australia is one of the few developed countries where influenza vaccination is only publicly funded for children with co-existing risk factors such as chronic diseases and asthma, although the New South Wales state government recently announced free flu vaccinations for children under five.