Influenza vaccination in caregivers of childhood cancer survivors

Influenza vaccination among caregivers and household contacts of children with congenital heart disease before and during COVID-19 pandemic

AIM

We aimed to investigate the influenza immunisation status of caregivers and household contacts of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and potential barriers to vaccine uptake.

METHODS

Prospective questionnaire-based survey over two influenza seasons (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) on 161 children with CHD attending a tertiary paediatric cardiology clinic and their families. Logistic regression and factor analysis were performed to identify factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake.

RESULTS

Influenza vaccination coverage of children was 65%, whereas that of their fathers and mothers was 34% and 26%, respectively. Children with unvaccinated siblings represented 43% and those with unvaccinated adults in the household 79% of our study population. No statistically significant differences were found before and during COVID-19 pandemic on vaccine uptake. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher education level, understanding the risk of contracting the disease and vaccination status of the child determined the vaccination status of parents, regardless of their age, age of their child, severity of CHD, beliefs about vaccine safety and efficacy and risk of transmission if not vaccinated. Factor analysis revealed distinct groups among unvaccinated parents (76.3% of the variation in the responses).

CONCLUSIONS

Vaccination coverage of caregivers and household contacts of children with CHD is suboptimal. Influenza vaccination campaigns should take into consideration the specific characteristics of parental groups and target interventions accordingly to increase their vaccine uptake and indirectly protect children with CHD.

Influenza vaccination among caregivers and household contacts of children with asthma

Data on influenza vaccination status among household contacts of asthmatic children are lacking. Our aim was to assess the influenza vaccination status of parents and caregivers of asthmatic children in the 2018-2019 season as well as to identify reasons for undervaccination. We performed a questionnaire-based survey in parents, caregivers and household contacts of 178 asthmatic children. Only the 50.6% of children were vaccinated, while in 79.8% of cases both parents were unvaccinated. More than 40% of them reported that they were unaware about the necessity of vaccination; approximately 30% stated that they were not properly advised, and the rest were concerned about influenza vaccine side effects and effectiveness. Factor analysis identified three groups: (a) influenza vaccine "believers" who were unaware that vaccination was necessary; (b) "deniers" who were less educated and with older children; (c) older and more educated vaccine "deniers". To improve influenza vaccine coverage among household contacts of asthmatic children, appropriate counseling and targeted interventions should be planned.