Preventive care is essential for keeping children healthy, and it becomes even more critical during cold and flu season. But a new nationwide survey from Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago finds 1 in 3 parents don’t plan on getting their child vaccinated against the flu this winter, most commonly because they believe their child simply doesn’t need it.
The report also shows that 42% of parents admit sending children to school or daycare with mild cold symptoms, and 41% say they’ve done so even when they likely shouldn’t have.
“There are a few warning signs that parents need to be aware of that should prompt a medical visit for evaluation,” says Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, Lurie Children’s, Division Head, Infectious Diseases. “If your child is having high fevers (>102F), is listless, not eating or drinking well enough to stay hydrated, this could be a sign of the flu or a more severe form of other respiratory viruses.”
The report also highlights gaps in routine care: 32% of parents aren’t confident about which preventative care visits their child needs annually and more than 1 in 10 (13%) say their child has missed a preventative care appointment in the last 3 years. Cost is a factor too, with 1 in 4 saying higher costs have made them reconsider preventive care.
While pediatricians remain parents’ most trusted health resource (85%), more than a quarter (27%) still consult social media, and 23% turn to friends or family for guidance.
The full report can be viewed here:
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Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
