Parent views on school based immunisation: A survey of parents of year 1 and 6 children in three diverse Auckland schools

Abstract

Background New Zealand (NZ) is embarking on a mass immunisation campaign in an effort to control a 14-year epidemic of group B meningococcal disease. All under 20 year olds in NZ are eligible to receive the vaccine and school-aged children will be vaccinated via a schoolbased programme. Aim This study aimed to determine the views of parents of primary school children aged five and 10 from three diverse schools about immunisation. Method We surveyed parents of year one and six children from three Auckland schools representing pupils of low, medium and high socioeconomic status about their views on having their children immunised in a school setting. Questionnaires were sent home with the children. Parents were asked about their perceptions of meningococcal disease and measles and their knowledge and attitudes on immunisation. Differences between socioeconomic areas, ethnicities and age of child were noted. Results Response rate was 42%. Parental knowledge of the immunisations and diseases in this survey are similar to those of parents surveyed nationally in previous studies, and varies little between socioeconomic groups. Results indicate that overall two-thirds of parents – if given a choice – prefer to have their children immunised at their general practice, however a preference for school-based immunisation is higher among those from low socioeconomic schools. Parents see providers of primary care as their most important source of information about immunisation. Key message Primary care providers have an important role in informing parents about the Meningococcal B immunisation campaign and reassuring them about concerns they may have including the integrated records with the national register, public health nurse professionalism and expertise, and safety in the school setting.