Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of general practitioners and general practice nurses regarding influenza vaccination for young children

Abstract

Annual vaccination is effective in reducing the harms associated with seasonal influenza. However, the uptake of influenza vaccine has historically been low in children. This paper reports a descriptive survey that sought to explore the beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) and general practice nurses (GPNs) towards influenza vaccination in young children. Both GPs and GPNs working in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) in NSW, Australia, were invited via email, fax and social media to participate in the study. A total of 121 participants completed the survey. Most participants had a high level of support and knowledge of influenza immunisation in young children. Barriers to influenza immunisation in young children included perceived hesitancy in parents and competing clinical demands. The participants strongly supported funding of the vaccine, with 90.9% feeling that parents would be less likely to vaccinate their children if the vaccine were no longer free. Both GPs and GPNs differed in the use of influenza vaccination resources. The participants had a positive attitude to influenza immunisation in young children and strongly supported continued funding of the vaccine. Dedicated young children’s influenza vaccination clinics run by general practices or in the community could reduce the impact of competing clinical demands.