Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
At the end of this presentation participants will be able to understand the information that parents need in making a decision to immunize their child. Participants will understand factors that impact timely immunization uptake.


Background:
The immunization rates for two – year- old children in BC are below the provincial target. Parents are punctual about bringing children for immunization at the 2, 4, 6 and 12 month marks, but delay immunization completion at 18 months.


Setting:
We conducted focus groups with parents of young children throughout the province, in urban centers and rural areas.


Population:
An initial set of focus groups involved parents with children two to five years of age. An “on time” group represented completion of immunization by nineteen months of age; a “late” group had delayed series' completion.
A second set of focus groups involved parents with children age two months to two years of age, who had made a decision to have their child immunized.



Project Description:
We explored parental attitudes and emotional responses to immunization, and parental knowledge of vaccines and immunization schedules.
We also explored with parents what information they needed in order to make a decision to have a child immunized, and how and when this information would be best presented.



Results/Lessons Learned:
All parents wanted to be better prepared for the immunization experience, with more information about the need for vaccination, the importance of following a recommended immunization schedule, and evidence of vaccine safety. Parents who delayed immunization completion were consistently more skeptical about the need for immunization. These results will influence the development of knowledge products for parents and immunization providers, and impact the delivery of immunization services