BACKGROUND:
In 2003 reports of deaths in well children from influenza found parents seeking influenza vaccine for their children. Since this was the first year that influenza vaccine was suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for children 23 months of age and younger, private providers did not anticipate the demand for the vaccine. As providers exhausted their supplies, they turned to Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) to provide influenza immunizations for their patients. SCDHS Child Health nursing staff met this unprecedented challenge and immunized 2000 children in Pediatric Influenza Mass Clinics. During each encounter, the nursing staff offered the parent the oportunity to discuss their concerns about having to seek out influenza vaccine for their children.

OBJECTIVE:
This phenomenological study identified trends in parental concerns in order to develop a plan to better address these issues in the future.

METHOD:
Each parent was asked questions about what they had previously been told about influenza vaccine by their private providers.

RESULT:
85% of the parents related that they had been told nothing about the need for influenza vaccine for their children. Parents also reported that they were pleased to be asked about their thoughts and given the opportunity to have their questions answered.

CONCLUSION:
Two way communication is the key to parental feelings of inclusion and confidence in the immunization process. All health care providers need to give parents the opportunity to discuss issues related to immunization and must listen to what parents are saying. Parental concerns have to be addressed as they are identified.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Learners will identify mechanisms to address immunization related issues with parents. Learners will contrast parental attitudes toward immunization without two way communication to parental attitudes with two way communicaiton.