"Our study indicates that parental worries about H1N1 vaccine safety have limited national efforts to vaccinate kids against H1N1 disease," says Davis. "Of course, we expect parents to act on behalf of their kids in ways that fit what they believe. The question is, have medical and public health professionals communicated clearly enough about the benefits and risks of vaccination, and about the risks of H1N1 illness for children? We owe it to our patients and families to make sure that the best data are available, and that we've answered questions in our communities about what to do for kids."

"If a substantial number of parents with concerns were reassured about the vaccine, or were persuaded of the risks of H1N1 illness, then we might see greater interest in H1N1 vaccination for children," says Davis, who is a primary care pediatrician and internist and also associate professor of public policy at the U-M Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. "With increasing vaccination rates, there might be additional protection not just for kids who get vaccinated but also for members of their communities who are not, or cannot be, vaccinated."

cdc/h1n1flu/qa.htm