With just below two weeks till winter is formally right here, dad and mom are being urged to get their children vaccinated in opposition to influenza, as new figures present just one in 10 children have had the jab.
The newest Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) National Child Health Poll, launched on Wednesday, additionally discovered solely about 57 per cent of Australian youngsters are more likely to be vaccinated in any respect this winter, with two thirds of fogeys opting to not vaccinate not being conscious the jab is required yearly.
RCH paediatrician, and report creator, Dr Anthea Rhodes, mentioned one third of fogeys have been additionally unaware their youngster can get critically sick from the flu.
“These knowledge gaps, along with commonly-held misbeliefs about the necessity of annual vaccination, how well the vaccine works (efficacy) and side-effects, are associated with parents’ hesitancy to get their child vaccinated against the flu,” wrote Dr Rhodes.
“Flu is the leading cause of vaccine preventable hospitalisations and deaths in children aged less than five years in Australia.
“Proven public health measures such as vaccination and improved hygiene can substantially reduce the impact of these infectious diseases on children and their families.
“As winter rapidly approaches, healthcare providers should actively promote flu vaccination, especially to families who are unsure or have not vaccinated in the past.”
Dr Rhoades suggests the flu vaccine must be made free for teenagers to spice up the uptake, particularly for these beneath the age of 5.
Originally printed as New report reveals dad and mom have ‘knowledge gaps’ about flu vaccine
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
