Fears children’s immunisation rates will drop

There are fears parents will skip vital vaccinations for their children and that there may be disease outbreaks, because parents are concerned about taking their children to their GP during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This follows new findings from the University of Adelaide that only one third of parents are aware of the recommendation that children should be vaccinated for influenza.

Professor Helen Marshall, Deputy Director of the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide, said understanding parental awareness towards recommendations was essential in planning and developing strategies to increase uptake.

“Of 539 South Australian parents surveyed, only 33% were aware of the recommendation that all children under the age of five should receive the influenza vaccine annually,” Professor Marshall said.

“These results are raising serious concerns not just about low awareness of the flu vaccination for children, but that parents may now be reluctant to keep up with vaccination schedules.

“Social distancing during COVID-19 is important – but you still must visit your GP for medical reasons, including to have your children vaccinated, with the option to attend council immunisation clinics."

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