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Vaccines (Basel)
. 2022 Aug 25;10(9):1388.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines10091388.
The Role of Needle Fear in Pediatric Flu Vaccine Hesitancy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bologna Metropolitan Area
Esther Rita De Gioia 1 , Adalisa Porqueddu 1 , Ornela Nebiaj 1 , Alessandro Bianconi 1 , Alice Conni 1 , Marco Montalti 1 , Paolo Pandolfi 2 , Renato Todeschini 2 , Maria Pia Fantini 3 , Davide Gori 3
Affiliations
- PMID: 36146466
- DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091388
Abstract
(1) Background: vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza and reduce its complications. The main aim of the study is to assess a possible increase of parents'/caregivers' pediatric flu vaccination adherence due to a nasal administration as an alternative to injection in Bologna. (2) Methods: 169 parents/guardians of children who were joining the COVID-19 pediatric vaccination session in Bologna were interviewed. The results were summarized using descriptive statistics. A multiple logistic regression model was used to assess the determinants of the change in flu vaccine uptake if offered without injection administration. All analyses were conducted using STATA and R-Studio software. (3) Results: Only 29.0% of parents were informed about pediatric flu vaccination by pediatricians, and 32.5% heard about pediatric flu vaccination. Almost 72.2% of parents declared that they would not have their children vaccinated against influenza. Thus, 40.2% of them changed their opinion after being informed about the existence of a non-injective vaccine. Needle fear in children turned out to be a determinant of this opinion change (OR = 3.79; 95% CI = 1.63-9.43; p = 0.003). (4) Conclusions: the study has confirmed that needle fear is a determinant of vaccine hesitancy and that a different method of administration may increase parents'/guardians' adherence.
Keywords: SAGE group; children; flu vaccine; needle fear; survey; vaccine hesitancy.