Parent Knowledge and Attitudes About School‐Based Hepatitis B Immunization Programs

Race/ethnicity and gender disparities in the utilization of a school-based hepatitis B immunization initiative

“…Asian potential enrollees were the least likely to participate but were most likely to complete. Previous study has shown that families of different race/ethnicities have varying degrees of familiarity with the topic of hepatitis B and the hepatitis B vaccine [5,16], and one study noted different perceptions of the importance of the hepatitis B immunization for health among adolescents of varying race/ethnicities with nonwhite responders being more likely to report greater importance to personal health [16]. Although the program provided education about hepatitis B and the immunization, perhaps families' initial, preconceived ideas were not addressed in the program's educational component.…”

“…Parent surveys have also revealed associations of white race and the availability of/access to health care with starting the vaccination series [4], and higher socioeconomic status with completing the series [4,5]. School-based immunization initiatives that provide education regarding the immunization, free vaccine in a convenient location, and also track students for follow-up vaccinations have been shown to diminish many of the obstacles to immunization for adolescents that might account for these differences in immunization participation and completion.…”

Urban Middle School Parent Perspectives: The Vaccines They Are Willing to Have Their Children Receive Using School-Based Immunization Programs

“…Pediatricians are receptive to the idea of school-based immunization programs for influenza, [9,10] and recent studies have shown that pediatricians will potentially be overwhelmed if adolescents actually come in as instructed for all of the new immunization recommendations [11]. Parental perspectives about school-based immunization initiatives for young adolescents in the United States have not been as extensively explored [12,13]. However, research thus far indicates that despite little exposure to or experience with school-based immunization programs, many parents indicate strong interest in having their children immunized using school-based immunization programs [12].…”

Focusing on flu

“…Studies exploring parental willingness to have their children immunized via SLIP have shown that many parents report willingness to utilize such a program. [8][9][10][11] In fact, among all vaccine choices, parents report feeling most comfortable with their children receiving the influenza vaccine via SLIP. 11 Schools also benefit from influenza vaccine SLIPs; immunizing large proportions of the student body against influenza using SLIPs has been shown to reduce absenteeism during the influenza season.…”