Parent doubts still cloud flu jab
Support for childhood flu vaccinations has lifted over the past year, a survey has found, but nearly 60 per cent of families with children still don't intend getting the jab.
New research by health insurer HBF and Painted Dog Research revealed that about three in 10 parents had vaccinated their children against the flu - more than twice the figure last year. But the proportion of parents who do not plan to vaccinate their children remains high at 41 per cent.
Australian Medical Association WA president Richard Choong said the overall trend was encouraging, but it was concerning so many families had strong reservations.
Dr Choong said presentations of children with flu to hospital were increasing and young children were vulnerable at this time of year.
"It's very concerning to see that 60 per cent of parents with young children won't vaccinate," he said.
"If you have ever seen a child with influenza - not a cold or respiratory infection - but fully fledged influenza, you would not think twice about vaccinating. Influenza is an awful illness which will lay an adult up in bed for a week - small children don't have the capacity to manage that."
Associate Professor of Paediatrics at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research Chris Blyth said more than 100 children were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital each year with influenza.
Dr Blyth said he understood that many parents were reluctant given the adverse effects associated with the vaccines in the past but the current vaccine was safe.
Flu vaccination rates for children in WA plunged in 2010 when WA child Saba Button was permanently brain damaged and 250 children had serious reactions.
East Cannington mother Alissa Scoby-Smith said it was a no brainer for her to give her 10-month-old daughter Macey the flu vaccine.
"I feel really strongly about all vaccinations," she said.
